The Yukon government’s opposition

In 2012, the Yukon government revealed its deep opposition to the Final Recommended Plan. The Umbrella Final Agreement required that the Yukon government hold public consultations on the Final Recommended Plan, and use that feedback to decide whether to accept, reject or amend the plan. Instead, the Yukon government presented its own “plan” for the Peel Watershed, essentially a political document, which had been developed entirely outside of the land use planning process. This plan would have opened 71% of the watershed to industrial development. In the fall of 2012, the Yukon government held public consultations on both its plan and the Final Recommended Plan. Despite overwhelming support for the Final Recommended Plan, the Yukon government then approved its own plan as the plan for the Peel Watershed. 

The Yukon government's decisions sparked a huge outcry from the public. Demonstrations filled the streets, and almost overnight, “Protect the Peel” bumper stickers appeared on vehicles and rally signs throughout the Yukon.