Statement from Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn on 2027 Canada Winter Games

Minister Richard Mostyn has issued the following statement:

"The Government of Yukon has determined it can no longer proceed with the bid to host the 2027 Canada Winter Games due to a lack of federal support. The Government of Canada has indicated that it is only willing to provide a total of $16.75 million towards the games, including only $3 million in capital funding – the standard amount provided to any small jurisdiction hosting the games. This is less than three per cent of the requested contribution from Canada and less than the $11 million in capital funding the City of Whitehorse has already signalled it would contribute to the games.

"This means no funding to support the necessary projects that would have made the 2027 Canada Winter Games a success and left a lasting legacy in Whitehorse, including a modern arena complex and infrastructure to incorporate Arctic and Dene sports into the games for the first time.

"We did not make this decision lightly, and we are extremely disappointed that we cannot proceed with this bid. Hosting the 2027 games in Whitehorse would have been an historic opportunity to advance reconciliation and bring the highest level of sport in the country back to Canada’s North. We made it clear from the outset that substantial contributions would need to be made by all levels of government, including our federal and municipal partners, for this bid to succeed. Without any meaningful contribution from the federal government to support these games, we were left with no other option. With the capital costs of hosting the 2027 games estimated to be in excess of $185 million, and contributions from partners totalling less than $15 million, it is simply not feasible for the Government of Yukon to proceed with the bid at a cost of $160 million. Our government has a responsibility to manage taxpayers’ money responsibly. At this time, it is clear that the territory’s resources must be focused on housing, health care, education and tackling climate change for the benefit of all Yukoners.

"I want to thank 2027 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee Chair Piers McDonald and his exceptional team for all their hard work over the past 18 months. I also want to thank our partners at the City of Whitehorse for their collaboration in pursuing this opportunity. While this was not the outcome any of us had hoped for, I look forward to continuing to work with our partners to increase recreational infrastructure and support the development of sport throughout the territory in the coming years."