Hundreds sign petition in support of Yukon's Raven ReCentre

A Yukon facility that helps process recyclables is calling for transparency on why it's been excluded from a government contract and hundreds of Yukoners are standing behind them. 

Raven ReCentre has launched a petition, tabled Thursday in the Yukon Legislature, calling for answers on why it can no longer service community depots. 

Shannon Powell, Raven's executive director, said the government's action was sudden and the non-profit hasn't been able to get an answer on why it's been blocked. 

She said she hopes the territory, and specifically Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, will provide a proper response to the public through the petition. 

"I am looking forward to seeing what he replies to the Yukoners that signed this petition on why these actions are being taken, in a meaningful way, because so far we have not had that," Powell said.

The petition has 622 signatures and Powell says even more residents have reached out since it's been tabled. She says Raven has always had strong community connections and is grateful to all those who have shown their support. 

She says they're expecting a response from Mostyn in the coming weeks. 

Yukon Morning15:00Raven ReCentre is complaining to the Yukon's ombudsman, saying the territorial government excluded the non-profit from a contract for processing recyclables

Raven ReCentre is complaining to the Yukon's ombudsman, saying the territorial government excluded the non-profit from a contract for processing some of the territory's recyclables. The territory, however, says Raven knew about the change last summer and effectively agreed to it. Shannon Powell is the executive director of Raven ReCentre. Raven says officials with the Ombudsman's office told them, verbally in January, that an investigation will happen, but the Ombudsman himself says, actually, the complaint is still under review.

In addition to the petition, Yukon's ombudsman is investigating. Powell says they're still in the early stages of that investigation and expect it to take about 90 days. 

Powell says Raven isn't asking for preferential treatment, just equal access. 

"We would really like to have this resolved so that we can move on and do good work for recycling in the territory."