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Yukon Nuggets

1979

Other News From 1979

  • On Jan 2nd, White Pass president Jack Fraser met with Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce President Doug Lindsay and the directors to discuss the financially troubled railway. Hugh Faulkner, Minister of Northern Affairs, is studying the request by White Pass for financial assistance.
  • On January 20th, Ione Christensen is appointed Commissioner of the Yukon.
  • Harry Allen, Chairman of the Council for Yukon Indians, threatens to start legal action if the Federal Government proceeds with pipeline construction prior to land claims settlement.
  • In an interview with the Edmonton Journal, Rolf Hougen announces that initial research had been completed verifying the viability of a satellite delivered television service to remote areas of Canada. He had crossed Canada about ten times in the past year promoting, researching and discussing the project.
  • In March in Ottawa, Rolf Hougen met with officials of the CRTC and the Department of Communications to outline his concept of how Canada's north and remote areas could be served by satellite delivered television channels.
  • On March 6th, Rolf Hougen was invited by Jean Jacques Galabru, Consul General of France to become Consul for France.
  • Jon Pierce was the successful aldermanic candidate to fill the post vacated by Mr. Chippett.
  • The United States announced a further delay in starting construction of the Alaska Highway pipeline.
  • There is another wildcat labour strike at the Cyprus Anvil Mine in February.
  • On July 3rd, Erik, Greta and Maureen Hougen left for France to stay with the Blaise family, friends from '76/77, until Aug 20. They stayed in Grenoble and in Britanny.
  • Chris Pearson is the Yukon Government Leader in a Conservative Government. Executive Committee Members are: Dan Lang, Grafton Njootli, Doug Graham and Howard Tracey.
  • Whitehorse City Council consists of Tony Penikett, Jon Pierce, Maggie Heath, Laurent Cyr and Flo Whyard.
  • The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development announces that one hundred and seventeen recreational lots at Judas Creek, Marsh Lake are available by public draw.
  • Stanley James, chief of Carcross Indian Band, negotiates a $250,000 settlement for right-of-way compensation for the Carcross-Skagway road.
  • Phil Fontaine, regional Director of Indian Affairs, announces that DIAND will fund the relocation of the Indian village.
  • Conservative Member of Parliament, Erik Nielsen defeats Allan Lueck, the Liberal candidate and Joe Jack, candidate for the N.D.P. in the federal election. The Progressive Conservatives under leader Joe Clark, form a minority government.
  • Jake Epp is named Minister of Northern Affairs.
  • The RCMP probe the possibility that land in the lottery was illegally acquired by a realtor.
  • John Ferguson, President of Bellanca Corp., of Edmonton announces that the hotel, retail and office space, convention facilities and theatre proposed for the block of land at Second and Wood Street would not proceed "at this time". Partner in the project is Rolf Hougen.
  • A Cessna 180 plane sinks in Schwatka Lake due to a leak in one of the floats.
  • Swede Hanson, Yukon’s Minister of Tourism and Economic Development, writes to the Canadian Transport Commission urging the Federal Government to save the White Pass Railway.
  • Liberal Opposition leader Ian MacKay asks the Yukon Government to take over the troubled White Pass Railway.
  • Joe Clarke’s minority Progressive Conservative Government is defeated. Pierre Trudeau comes out of his announced retirement to lead the Liberal party’s election campaign.
  • Roxanne Nielsen is welcomed by RCMP Superintendent Harry Nixon as a new member of the RCMP.
  • In October, Jean and Mrs. Mommessin, fifth generation wine producers from Macon Finance, and daughter Isabelle visit Marg and Rolf Hougen in Whitehorse. During their stay in France in 76/77, the Hougens visited the Mommessins on many occasions.
  • In October 22nd, a ceremony is held in the foyer of the Territorial Government building to transfer the responsibilities and authorities vested in the commissioner, to Chris Pearson, Government leader. Doug Bell is Yukon administrator.
  • In December, Fred Burnet, Chairman of Cominco, asks Rolf Hougen to join the Board of Directors of Cominco Limited, one of Canada's largest mining companies.