Yukon Party taking action to keep communities safe and resilient

WHITEHORSE – Everyone deserves to live in a safe community. However, over the past several years, Yukoners have seen a rise in both the number and severity of crimes, especially in downtown Whitehorse. Yukon communities and northern Canada have also been threatened by environmental risks and emergencies like floods, wildfires and extreme weather. 

Since taking office, the Yukon Party government has acted decisively to restore public safety by increasing policing resources, strengthening community resilience, and investing in emergency preparedness capacity and expertise across the territory. 

“Last year, Yukoners voted for change and elected our government to strengthen policing and reduce crime, particularly organized crime and the illegal drug trade,” said Minister of Justice Laura Lang. “Since we took office, we have worked closely with our RCMP partners and invested in Yukon First Nation community safety plans so local knowledge and expertise inform how to foster safer communities in ways that work best for local needs.” 

In the past year, the Yukon RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit conducted 41 investigations resulting in 27 offenders being charged with 46 Criminal Code offences and 29 charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 

“Anyone convicted of trafficking illegal drugs and targeting vulnerable victims in Yukon communities should be behind bars,” said MLA for Watson Lake-Ross River-Faro Patti McLeod. “We continue to advocate to the Government of Canada for tougher bail conditions for violent and repeat offenders, and to ensure the Yukon remains a safe and welcoming place for all Yukoners to live and work.”

In addition to tackling crime, your Yukon Party government is committed to improving emergency preparedness across the territory. We are partnering with municipalities, communities and First Nations and empowering emergency organizations to strengthen community resilience. 

“Our government is taking concrete steps to modernize our emergency preparedness, response and disaster recovery capacity to keep Yukon families, property and neighbourhoods safe,” said Minister of Community Services Cory Bellmore. “By empowering and investing in those who work to protect us, and building local skills, confidence, and expertise, we reduce risk and help safeguard communities.”

Since the election, we have taken concrete steps to restore public safety, strengthen community resilience and improve emergency preparedness, including:

•    Supporting our policing partners by investing over $3 million for 10 RCMP positions in Whitehorse, including two on the Crime Reduction Unit and three on the Emergency Response Team.
•    Advancing community-led safety planning by investing nearly $850,000 to support seven Yukon First Nation community safety plans;
•    Recognizing the risks wildland firefighter crews face when protecting our communities by tabling legislation to expand presumptive cancer coverage;
•    Expanding the Yukon’s emergency management capacity by completing over 100 specialized training certifications this year;
•    Helping communities plan for and mitigate wildfire risks by investing more than $1.8 million in 45 FireSmart projects and nearly $2 million in fire service funding through Budget 2026;
•    Enhancing community flood readiness by securing $38 million for the Carmacks flood mitigation project, advancing flood preparedness in 14 communities and completing flood hazard maps for seven communities;
•    Strengthening supports for Yukoners experiencing mental health issues and suicide risks by making permanent funding available for the Car 867 Mental Health Response Team;
•    Ensuring the Yukon is fiscally prepared for the unexpected by establishing a $100 million contingency fund in Budget 2026 for emergency response and recovery, including initial investments in wildfire, flood and infrastructure recovery efforts.

These are among many initiatives and investments that keep Yukon families, properties, and communities safe and resilient today and in the future. 

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Media Contact
Tim Kucharuk
Media Director
(867) 689-7874
[email protected]