Whitehorse Unveils $465 Million Infrastructure Report for 2025

The City of Whitehorse has released its 2025 report detailing the condition of its infrastructure, highlighting a total asset value of $465 million. This comprehensive analysis covers municipal assets including roads, sidewalks, vehicles, and water and sanitary systems. The findings reveal that while many assets are in fair or good condition, significant portions require immediate attention.

This report is notable as it is the first of its kind to be made public, following earlier internal assessments. The city plans to issue similar reports every three years. According to Mayor Kirk Cameron, the information contained within is crucial for the city council’s funding decisions. During an interview on October 7, 2023, he emphasized that the report serves as a cornerstone for future infrastructural planning.

The report categorizes the condition of various assets using ratings such as “very good,” “good,” “fair,” “poor,” and “very poor.” Most of the city’s roads fall into the fair or good category; however, the current budget for road maintenance stands at only $2 million annually. Mayor Cameron noted that this budget is insufficient to address the substantial backlog of repairs. The report recommends a minimum annual funding of $6.3 million over the next two decades to effectively manage this backlog. For context, the city’s capital plan allocates $5 million annually starting in 2026.

Sidewalks and paved trails are generally in good condition, while bridges are reported as being in very good condition. The city’s fleet, consisting of 235 vehicles ranging from fire trucks to zambonis, reveals a troubling statistic: 44 percent are classified as being in “very poor” condition. The overall condition of the fleet is considered poor, raising concerns about operational efficiency.

Water mains and hydrants are rated as fair, but alarming data indicates that 33 percent of hydrants are in very poor condition. Sanitary sewer manholes are also in poor condition on average, with the sewer mains rated as fair. In contrast, sanitary vertical assets and stormwater mains appear to be in good condition.

Gareth Earle, acting manager of engineering services, addressed gaps in the data during a council meeting on October 6, 2023. He acknowledged that some assessments were based on the age of infrastructure rather than direct evaluations of their current condition. Earle pointed out that more information is needed, particularly regarding underground infrastructure.

Mayor Cameron has noted the increasing public demand for new infrastructure projects, such as additional pickleball courts, another ice rink, and a 50-metre pool. He expressed a strong commitment to addressing foundational infrastructure needs, stating, “If we lose ground on that, people are going to start losing what we take for granted.” He highlighted the critical nature of operational assets, citing the importance of reliable water hydrants for emergency services.

The mayor also emphasized the necessity of the report in securing funding from various levels of government. He stated, “With that kind of backstop, it becomes a much more substantial argument for us to make with those deep pockets.” He noted that federal funding typically targets one-off capital projects, while operational and maintenance costs are largely covered through taxation and the Yukon government’s municipal grants.

Cameron outlined an urgent need for addressing the city’s $1.4 billion worth of infrastructure requirements over the next seven years. He cautioned that taxpayers may resist significant tax increases to meet these costs, stating, “We need our partners to help us with that.”

With the territorial election underway, Cameron urged politicians to recognize Whitehorse’s role as a vital economic and cultural hub for the territory. He remarked, “This is really where people come from the communities to top up on their supplies when they go back to Haines Junction or Carmacks.” He underscored the city’s importance during emergencies, such as housing evacuees from various parts of the territory.

As the city navigates its future infrastructure needs, Mayor Cameron remains committed to fostering partnerships with territorial government officials to ensure that Whitehorse’s critical infrastructure does not fall further behind.