Our Mandate
The Umbrella Final Agreement (UFA) is a landmark framework agreement signed in 1993 that laid the foundation for the negotiation and implementation of comprehensive land claim settlements between the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon, and Yukon First Nations. It sets out the overarching principles, rights, and responsibilities that guide the negotiation and execution of individual Yukon First Nations Final Agreements.
Building on the UFA, the Yukon First Nations Final Agreements are legally binding treaties between individual Yukon First Nations, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Yukon. These agreements outline specific rights and benefits unique to each First Nation while adhering to the principles established in the UFA.
The Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee (YSSC) is created under Chapter 16 of the UFA. Specifically, section 16.7.17 establishes the YSSC as a Sub-Committee of the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board and is the “main instrument of Salmon management in the Yukon”.
Powers and Responsibilities:
16.7.17.1 The Board shall assign from its membership one appointee of Yukon First Nations and one appointee of Government to the Sub-Committee.
16.7.17.2 The Minister shall nominate two additional members to the Sub-Committee.
16.7.17.3 For the Yukon River drainage basin, the affected Yukon First Nation shall nominate two members to the Sub-Committee who shall sit on the Sub- Committee when it deals with matters affecting Salmon in the Yukon River drainage basin only.
16.7.17.4 For the Alsek River drainage basin, the affected Yukon First Nation shall nominate two members to the Sub-Committee who shall sit on the Sub- Committee when it deals with matters affecting Salmon in the Alsek River drainage basin only.
16.7.17.5 For the Porcupine River drainage basin, the affected Yukon First Nation shall nominate two members to the Sub-Committee who shall sit on the Sub-Committee when it deals with matters affecting Salmon in the Porcupine River drainage basin only.
16.7.17.6 When the Sub-Committee is dealing with matters affecting more than one of the drainage basins identified in 16.7.17.3 to 16.7.17.5, the members appointed to represent those basins may sit on the SubCommittee, provided that the total number of votes to be exercised by those members shall not exceed two.
16.7.17.7 Appointments to the Sub-Committee by the Board shall be for the term held by that appointee on the Board.
16.7.17.8 The additional appointments to the Sub-Committee by the Minister and by Yukon First Nations shall be for five years. All appointments to the Sub- Committee shall be during good behaviour.
16.7.17.9 The Board shall appoint a chairperson from the membership of the Sub-Committee. In the event the Board fails to select a chairperson within 60 days of the position being vacant, the Minister shall appoint a chairperson from the membership of the Sub-Committee after Consultation with the Sub- Committee.
16.7.17.10 The Department of Fisheries and Oceans shall provide technical and administrative support to the Sub-Committee as required to determine appropriate plans for Salmon management, and a senior official of the department in the Yukon shall serve the Sub-Committee as Executive Secretary.
16.7.17.11 The Sub-Committee, acting in the public interest and consistent with this chapter and taking into account all relevant factors including recommendations of the Councils, may make recommendations to the Minister and to Yukon First Nations on all matters related to Salmon, their habitats and management, including Legislation, research, policies and programs.
16.7.17.12 Without restricting 16.7.17.11, the Sub-Committee:
- may recommend to the Minister policies for the management of Salmon and their habitats;
- may make recommendations to the Minister on the need for, and on the content and timing of Salmon Harvesting and management plans in accordance with the terms of this chapter;
- may make recommendations to the Minister on the need for, and on a position on, interjurisdictional agreements affecting the Use of Yukon Salmon resources;
- may seek, from a Council or the public, input on specific aspects of a Salmon management plan;
- subject to Yukon First Nation Final Agreements, may make recommendations to the Minister on new opportunities and proposed management measures for commercial Uses of Salmon;
- after Consultation with affected Yukon First Nations, shall make recommendations to the Minister on allocation, in amount and by area, of Salmon to users, in accordance with this chapter; and
- may make recommendations on management measures required to best ensure that the basic needs allocation of a Yukon First Nation is met, recognizing that resources available for fisheries management may be limited.
16.7.17.13 Representatives from the Sub-Committee shall form the majority of the Canadian representatives to any Yukon River panel established pursuant to the Treaty between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America concerning Pacific Salmon.
16.7.17.14 The Sub-Committee shall be granted standing as an interested party to participate in the public proceedings of any agency, board or commission dealing with matters that affect the management and Conservation of Salmon or their habitat in the Yukon.
16.7.17.15 The Sub-Committee shall communicate its recommendations and decisions to the Board, and to the Minister in accordance with the provisions of 16.8.0.
16.7.18 Where the Board or the Sub-Committee does not carry out a responsibility, the Minister, after giving notice to the Board or the Sub-Committee as appropriate, may carry out that responsibility.
.svg)
Reach Out!
If you have any questions, please contact us at ex.dir@yssc.ca or submit a contact form.
Newsletter
Stay tuned for an upcoming newsletter.
