Harper promises Yukon its own unit of reserves, money for hunters

Stephen Harper pledged in mid-August that if re-elected. his government would swell the ranks of the military reserve force to 30,000 from 24,000.

On Friday, he announced that a new unit will be established in the Yukon as part of that effort.

The territory last had its own reserve force in 1968.

Harper also promised a series of new measures aimed at hunters.

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

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

Harper also offered $9-million over three years starting in 2016 for a tourism program to attract recreational anglers, hunters and snowmobiles from the U.S.

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

Leef is up against his 2011 Liberal rival Larry Bagnell.

Harper is set to return to Ottawa later Friday.