MLAs back airport security screening for northern flights

Yukon's legislature voted 18-1 for a motion asking the territorial government to work with Transport Canada on passenger security screening for flights to Old Crow, Dawson City and Inuvik. Liberal leader Debra Leigh-Reti, the MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, said screening could curb alcohol and illicit drugs reaching northern communities, including dry Old Crow, and that airline staff should not handle it informally. Klondike MLA Brent McDonald opposed the motion, saying Dawson City residents were not consulted. The government noted aviation security is federal, with screening currently only at Whitehorse's airport, and said it has written to federal ministers about screening.