Some Yukoners are questioning why the territorial government is sending 11 officials to the United Nations' climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, at a cost of about $80,000 to taxpayers.

As the 192-nation UN climate conference enters its second week, the Yukon has sent a contingent that includes Environment Minister Elaine Taylor and three bureaucrats from her department.

But some taxpayers are not happy with the fact that the Yukon's delegation also consists of executive assistants and communications staff.

By comparison, neighbouring British Columbia is sending only two people: Premier Gordon Campbell and one aide.

'Dobbers and fluffers'

"I think what we need to be sending is people who can argue for action. I don't think, you know, the dobbers and fluffers of the world need to accompany," Mike Ivens told CBC News in Whitehorse.

"If it's going to be a political junket, I think that's a poor use of money."

In all, the Yukon government's trip to the Copenhagen summit is costing about $80,000.

Some, like Joanne Henry, said that while the Yukon should be represented at the international summit, only those who are directly involved in the climate change issue should be attending.

"You want to take the people who are, you know, right upfront, and who are the ones who are on the forefront, and the ones who are going to be doing the changes — not an assistant, not someone on that level," said Henry.

"That's ridiculous, really ridiculous, because it's like a holiday for them, right?"

Wayne Tuck pointed out that if the Yukon government is seriously concerned about climate change, it should have put only one or two people on a jet for a trip halfway around the world.

"Certainly Copenhagen's a nice place to go, but if you're trying to reduce greenhouse gases, I mean, not sending 11 people would have been a good statement," he said.

Whitehorse vigil

Over the weekend, more than 200 people congregated in downtown Whitehorse in a 24-hour vigil to demand action on climate change.

The Whitehorse event, which began late Friday afternoon and wrapped up Saturday afternoon, coincided with other vigils going on around the world.

While about half a dozen participants spent the entire 24-hour period camped out on the steps of the Elijah Smith building, others like Corliss Burke returned to the event site several times.

"It's so embarrassing and tragic that Canada is not taking a firm stand and not willing to let go of some of the economic reasons that they have for standing in the way of addressing climate change," Burke said.

Vigil organizer Diane Lindley said she hopes something meaningful will come out of the Copenhagen summit.

"We'd like the government of Canada to step up to the plate and join in with the world community to really take the information that the scientific community [has] very seriously, think very carefully and proceed in a very timely and swift manner as far as making the transition to a fossil fuel-free economy," she said.