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WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition renews its criticism of the state of the Yukon-managed part of the Dempster Highway. The highway, from east of Dawson City to Inuvik, Northwest Territories, is a vital link for residents of the Mackenzie Delta in the NWT and attracts tourists from around the world.
Tourism and Culture Critic Geraldine Van Bibber has been raising the sorry state of the Yukon side of the highway to the Liberal government for years through questions in the Legislative Assembly, a letter to the minister in June of 2023, and releases to the media. The minister only responded that 10 kilometres of the road has been repaired.
Recent reports on CBC Yukon cite concerns from an Inuvik resident who describes conditions on the Yukon portion of the highway as ‘brutal’. The resident said the road is a lifeline, but they are scared to drive it.
“During a one-week span in June, there were two collisions on the highway, one of them unfortunately fatal,” said Van Bibber. “As motorists have long indicated, the Liberal government is not doing the bare minimum to upkeep this important Yukon highway. Many Northwest Territories residents drive the highway to pick up supplies regardless of the time of year, and the summer season sees tourists trying to navigate this unstable, narrow highway.”
Van Bibber said this situation cannot continue.
“I am calling on the minister to tell Yukoners and residents of the Mackenzie Delta how his Liberal government plans to make the highway safer to drive, and when the repairs will take place.”
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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
Change Starts Now!
Add your name if you will stand with Currie Dixon and the Yukon Party!