The Yukon government has released the What We Heard report following extensive public and Indigenous engagement on the proposed modernized regulations for Yukon parks and campgrounds.

The proposed regulations under the Parks and Land Certainty Act cover 10 thematic areas.

Those include managing noise, domestic animals, liquor, smoking (including cannabis), on-road and off-road vehicles, aircraft (including drones), zoning and other matters within territorial parks.

To help inform the proposed regulations, the government engaged with Yukoners, First Nations, Inuvialuit, transboundary Indigenous organizations, environmental non-governmental organizations, industry associations, tourism operators and renewable resource councils.

Last year, 1,443 people responded to a public survey, which found there was strong support overall for all proposed regulations.

The majority of respondents agreed with the changes, and support ranged from 63 per cent to 79 per cent for each thematic area.

The new regulations are expected to take effect in the 2024 camping season.

“The Yukon is home to some of Canada’s most beautiful parks and campgrounds,” Environment Minister Nils Clarke said Thursday.

“It is important that we continue to protect their natural, historical, and cultural values, and provide safe and enjoyable experiences for Yukon residents and visitors alike.

“We heard Yukoners loud and clear in their support for the proposed regulations, and I look forward to seeing how they shape the Yukon’s parks and campgrounds for generations to come.”

The government released the Yukon Parks Strategy in September 2020.

Modernizing regulations under the Parks and Land Certainty Act is one of the 10 priorities in the strategy.

There are more than 50 road-accessible campgrounds and day-use recreation sites and eight territorial parks in the Yukon.

The government has indicated it plans to develop a large campground at an unknown location within two hours’ driving distance of Whitehorse.

The Yukon Bureau of Statistics hosted the online public survey from April 29 to July 4, 2022.