Send this page to someone via email

WHITEHORSE – Conservative leader Stephen Harper has used a campaign stop in Whitehorse to promise a series of new measures aimed at hunters.

Harper says the Conservatives will allot $5 million a year starting in 2017, for programs to sustain the habitats that support bird, moose and turkey populations.

New rules would create a family hunting permit for birds and allow the use of crossbows for hunting them.

Harper also offered nine-million dollars over three years starting in 2016 for a tourism program to attract recreational anglers, hunters and snowmobilers from the U-S.

Story continues below advertisement

In-Depth: Federal Election 2015

Earlier in the day, Harper also announced a new Canadian Armed Forces reserve unit for the Yukon.

The unit is part of a pledge he made in mid-August to grow the reserve force from 24,000 to 30,000 if he’s re-elected.

The territory last had its own reserve force in 1968.

The Conservatives face a tough fight in the territory where incumbent Ryan Leef hopes to hang on to the seat he took from the Liberals in 2011.

Harper is set to return to Ottawa later today.