News Release

January 13, 2005

Yukon Waterfront projects in Whitehorse and Carcross to receive $22 million for development

Whitehorse, Yukon - The Government of Canada and the Yukon Government today announced that they will be investing a total of $22 million for improvements to the Whitehorse and Carcross waterfronts.

The Honourable John Godfrey, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Glenn Hart, Minister of Community Services, announced the critical infrastructure improvements. 

The Governments of Canada and Yukon have each committed up to $9.5 million toward the Whitehorse waterfront development project.  The City of Whitehorse will contribute $1 million and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation will contribute $892,000 towards the Whitehorse project. The Carcross waterfront development project will be supported by equal contributions of $1.5 million from the Governments of Canada and the Yukon. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will be the federal delivery agency for the project, working in partnership with Infrastructure Canada.

 “These projects in Carcross and Whitehorse will bring long-term benefits to the communities -- environmentally, socially, culturally and economically. They are part of our New Deal, for the places Canadians call home,” said Minister Godfrey.

“Projects like these are critical to the future success and productivity of our territory,” Minister Hart said. “This infrastructure investment is one more building block in our strategy for revitalizing the Yukon economy. We anticipate and look forward to future public input on determining how to spend those funds which have not yet been allocated.”

In Whitehorse, a series of urban development initiatives along the Yukon River are aimed at upgrading the function and appearance of the waterfront and enabling further development.  Initiatives include water, sewer, and streets improvements and extensions, upgrades to the Kishwoot Island suspension bridge, relocation and restoration of heritage buildings and other aesthetic improvements. The funding may also be used to support arts and culture facilities, dock improvements, trolley extension and other projects.

In Carcross, the project will cover a number of activities including community clean up, water, sewer and road improvements, landscaping and upgrades and construction for river structures.  All projects will be finalized through a consultation process involving the Carcross Area Advisory Planning Committee and the community as a whole. The Carcross Tagish First Nations and the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad are undertaking separate but related cultural and tourism projects, which will also benefit from the revitalization of the Carcross waterfront.

All projects are subject to applicable environmental laws and regulations. Federal funds will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). Since 1994, the Government of Canada has committed $12 billion toward over 20,000 infrastructure projects in communities across Canada. This should leverage over $30 billion from all partners. The New Deal for Cities and Communities will deliver stable, predictable, long-term funding for cities and communities across Canada.

Contacts:

Infrastructure Canada

(613) 948-1148

Peter Carr

Cabinet Communications Advisor

Government of Yukon Territory

(867) 667-8688

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