Government of Yukon thanks Whitehorse community for conversation on downtown safety

The Government of Yukon wishes to offer its thanks to all members of the downtown Whitehorse community who attended the Downtown Community Conversation on June 18, 2024.

Approximately 70 people attended the event, speaking about their lived experiences as Whitehorse residents, business owners and community members. Attendees provided feedback and ideas on ways that territorial, municipal and First Nations governments – working in partnership with NGOs and community members themselves – can work to provide the supports that all downtown community members need to feel safe, secure and supported.

Acknowledging that downtown community members bring their own local knowledge, clout and lived experiences, feedback from the June 18 conversation will be used to guide efforts to improve and implement the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan and other efforts to create a safer, more inclusive and thriving downtown area for all.

Officials from the Yukon government departments of Health and Social Services, Justice and Yukon Housing Corporation and members of the Whitehorse RCMP detachment provided updates on actions taken so far and heard from community members and businesses with ideas for increasing safety and vibrancy in the downtown core. People also spoke about the need for enforcement of existing laws and more accessible support services for vulnerable populations.

Next month, the Government of Yukon will hold a media briefing to provide updates on the progress that has been made this summer to address the concerns raised by the community.

The Government of Yukon remains committed to working with partners and the community to ensure that downtown Whitehorse is a place where everyone feels safe and supported.