Our Request for a Waiver to the City of Whitehorse’s Master Plan Requirement for the Whitehorse Power Centres Project

Yukon Energy would like to provide context regarding our recent request for a waiver of the City of Whitehorse’s Master Plan requirement for the Whitehorse Power Centres Project.  Our request was made to help streamline regulatory processes and avoid duplication of efforts. The Whitehorse Power Centres Project is currently undergoing an Executive Committee-level review by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB). This process includes extensive public and stakeholder engagement, including with the City of Whitehorse, and thoroughly examines potential impacts and mitigation measures.  Given the scope and depth of the YESAB review, we believed there was an opportunity to coordinate regulatory efforts under a single process, making more efficient use of time and resources while still achieving the core objectives of the City’s Master Planning Process.  While the City did not approve our waiver request for the power centre sites, we acknowledge and appreciate that a waiver was granted for the proposed substation site along Long Lake Road. This will help save time and money as we advance critical work under tight timelines.   Yukon Energy respects the City of Whitehorse’s processes and values the intent and principles behind the Master Plan requirement — especially its focus on long-term community growth and meaningful public engagement. Access to reliable electricity is essential to all Yukoners, and having the first Whitehorse Power Centre operational before December 2027 is critical to meeting growing peak demand for winter power.  As we move forward, Yukon Energy will continue working closely with the City of Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC), and the Government of Yukon to advance this important infrastructure project. Yukon Energy is appreciative of the consideration offered by the City’s Development Review Committee on our Master Planning Process waiver request.