The Yukon inches towards connecting to the grid. Here’s why that matters

Good morning!

I had a fun chat with a local Yukon writer this week. We’re already brainstorming a bunch of ideas on interesting stories we can explore in the territory. If you’re a writer, please reach out.

I’ll also say it’s very cool to be able to meet people in the community because of this newsletter. If you ever see me around, don’t hesitate to say hi!

There’s still time to enter to win one of two $25 gift cards to any Yukon business. All you have to do is refer one person to the newsletter. Names will be drawn on May 1, so you’ve still got time to enter! Use this URL or forward this email to a friend: {{subscriber_refer_url}}

Alright, let’s get to today’s stories!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

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The Yukon Weather Report

ENVIRONMENT

The Yukon inches towards linking to the energy grid. Here’s why that matters

Background: Connecting Yukon to the BC power grid has been a long-sought-after project. Currently, the Yukon is not connected to the rest of the North American power grid, meaning we generate all our electricity here, through hydro, diesel in the winter and other forms of electricity. 

• The federal government has a goal of making the country’s electricity grid net-zero by 2035, which would mean getting the Yukon off diesel, which it uses in the winter, according to Business in Vancouver. 

Why connect the grid: Many reasons! Besides the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, connecting to the larger grid would help open up more mining of critical minerals in the North, a key priority of the federal government and the territory, especially in the context of a world that is desperately in need of these metals and minerals. 

Mining companies that spoke to Mining News North said bringing the Yukon onto the North American grid would help create more sustainable and viable mining in the region. 

• Back in September, the federal government announced $40 million for a feasibility study about connecting to the rest of the grid, the first step in the process before actually building

Current situation: 90-95 per cent of energy requirements in the summer are met, primarily through hydro. But energy needs spike 20 per cent in the winter, while production slows down, and the territory is required to rent diesel generators to help meet demand

Next steps: A feasibility study is, to be clear, not a building project, but rather a review of how to get it built. Recently, Gary Gazankas, President of the Yukon Development Corporation, told CBC they expect the project to be a First Nations-owned line, and that besides all the permitting and engineering, there will need to be ongoing consultation. 

• But don’t get too excited, it’s expected that even if it is built, it could take around 10 years to connect the grid. 

Yes, but: The project itself will cost an enormous amount of money, estimated to be at least $1.7 billion back in 2023 and would require huge commitments from different levels of government to get built.

Disclosure: In the interest of transparency, please note that my partner works for the Yukon government.

YUKON NUMBERS

🏥 3: The number of weeks that Pelly Crossing residents will have to wait while the health centre closes down, from April 29 to May 21. The next closest one is in Carmacks, which is 100 km away. [CBC]

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Airport supervisor, Old Crow

• Field technician, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada in Whitehorse

• Operations manager, Superior Propane in Whitehorse

• Manager, programs and courses, Yukon University in Dawson City

• Director, human resources, Northwestel in Whitehorse

HOME OF THE WEEK

There’s not usually a lot of homes available for sale in Carcross, so I thought this would be a good one to feature.

This 2.5-acre lot is perfect for the outdoors lover. It’s got 1,300 square feet of space, with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Fishing, hiking, the area has it all, including a detached garage to store anything you need.

This is how much a slice of nature will set you back!

THE AGENDA

🧊 We’ve moved on from snow, but now it’s all about ice. The Klondike River remains under an Ice Advisory as of yesterday. Ice is expected to move and flow down the river, with levels changing rapidly. Ice movements have begun in the Rock Creek area. Anyone living near a flood-prone area should prepare for flooding. 

🚴 The one-week format of the Active Commute Week has changed to a month in Whitehorse, all throughout June. 

It’s a challenging time of year at the Eagle Gold Mine disaster site, with the possibility of an uncontrolled release of water from the water containing cyanide as the snow and ice begin melting, especially if the melt is faster than it can be treated. Currently, the snowpack is listed as average. The government says two extra storage ponds are being built to hold cyanide water before it’s treated, with one that should be completed soon. [CTV]

🌲 If you live in Dawson, you may notice trees beginning to be cleared at the site of the new Dawson recreation centre, before migratory bird season arrives. 

🔥 If you spot some first in April, don’t be alarmed, they are most likely part of the planned burning to reduce the risk of fires near Whitehorse neighbourhoods. A full list of areas that have planned burning can be found here. 

🏘️ The Yukon government announced a plan to help first-time homebuyers purchase their first home with low-interest loans covering up to 50 per cent of the downpayment. There are requirements, including that a home’s price must not exceed the maximum average sale price in Whitehorse, and it remains their principal residence.

👮 RCMP and the Yukon Coroner’s Service are investigating the death of a 26-year-old female on April 10 in Ross River, who was involved in an incident with a motor vehicle. 

Federal election

🗳️ For those looking for a detailed breakdown of the federal election battle here in the Yukon, iPolitics has broken it all down here. While they say current Liberal MP Brendan Hanley is likely to win, that wasn’t the case back when the Liberals were on the decline under Trudeau. His competitor on the Conservative side is Ryan Leef, who is vying to return as MP after losing in 2015. Fun fact, the Yukon is the fifth largest riding in the country. 

🏠️ One of the major issues in this election? Housing. The territory is dealing with a housing crisis, both for those looking for a place to live and for rent. Each party shared part of their plan with the CBC. You can read that here. 

📆 Finally, if you’re voting on election day, you can find where to vote, the info you need and ways to vote here.

Enter to win two $25 gift cards

We’re giving away two $25 gift cards to any Yukon business over the next two weeks. All you have to do is refer one person to the Lookout. It’s that simple!

To do that, just this special referral link below, or share it by clicking any of the links below.

We’ll announce the names in our May 1 newsletter.

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

This is a not-so happy photo, but hopefully it can be helpful. This sweet pup is Gracie. She went missing recently and as of yesterday has been spotted around the Whitehorse airport, Beringa Museum and Copper Ridge. The owner has requested not to leave food out, as it’ll be easier to get her home if she’s hungry. Hopefully, by the time you read this she’s been found, but you can follow the owner’s Facebook post updates here, and keep an eye out for her if you’re in the area.

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Mexican Themed Cooking Classes | Takhini Arena Mezzanine | Apr. 23, 5 pm | Learn how to make Mexican food, for kids 12-15 | Tickets $15

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Arts + Music

Moccasin Making — Awaken Festival | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | Apr. 26, 10 am-3 pm | Build Yukon-style moccasins | Tickets $265

Animal Trinket Tray Sculpting | Canada Games Centre, Boardroom | May 3, 3:00 pm | Sculpt clay trays for rings or keepsakes | Tickets $23

A Conversation with Mary Walsh - Whitehorse | Sternwheeler Hotel |

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | June 6-8 | Come enjoy bluegrass music all weekend long | Tickets $195

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park, Atlin | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Dawson City Music Festival | Downtown Dawson City | Jul. 18-20 | Over 25 artists and bands from across Canada | Tickets $195

Outdoors and Sports

Alpine Club of Canada Yukon AGM | Winterlong Brewing Co. | Apr. 29, 7 pm | Programming updates, financials and updates on club backcountry hut | Free

Mt. Sima 2nd Annual Sloppet | Mount Sima | May 3, 11 am | Skate, skin and bike event | Registration $30

Recreation Expo 2025 | Canada Games Centre | May 4, 11 am-4 pm | Learn more information from recreation and sporting clubs | Free

Introduction to Bicycle Maintenance | Icycle Sports, 21 Waterfront Place, Whitehorse | May 6, 6:30 pm | Learn bike care basics—cleaning, setup, repairs | Tickets $70

Yukon Brewing Ball Hockey Tournament | Takhini Broomball Area | May 10, 9 am | 3×3 plus goalie games, coed tournament with many games! | $250 for team

Intro to Yukon Camping & Outdoor Adventures | Yukon University, 500 University Drive, Room C1440 | May 15, 6:00 pm | Family-friendly workshop on camping | Tickets $25

Whitehorse Trail Running Film Festival | Yukon Beringa Interpretive Centre | May 15, 6 pm | Films for running lovers, plus pizza + drinks | Tickets $23

Marsh Lake Madness Triathlon | Jul. 1 | A normal triathlon, but with paddling instead of swimming! | Learn more

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Other

Compass 2025: TIA Yukon’s Tourism Spring Conference | Haa Shagóon Hídi, Carcross | Apr. 24-25 | Workshops and events on sustainable tourism practices | Tickets $350+

Snapshot Socials | Dawson City Museum, Dawson | Today, 5 pm | Come celebrate the break-up with previous photos of flooding in past years

Kitchen Party 2.0 | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | May 3, 6 pm | Eat and dance the night away with music and a silent auction | Tickets $107

2025 Indoor Community Garage Sale | Canada Games Centre | May 10, 11-4:30 | Come by and sell your goods or find some treasures

Jody Wilson-Raybould in Conversation with Ivan Coyote | Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre | May 22, 6 pm | Come meet and hear from The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould as she discusses her new book | Free

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

✈️ There’s still time to save with Air North’s sale, but you have to book by today for travel between May 20 and December 18. 

🍺 Yukon Brewing has a new pilsner out called Landbier, inspired by Swiss-German brewing. 

🐺 The Wildlife cameras are really starting to get going. They recently captured a wolverine, lynx and marten

🎻 Dawson City is looking for performers for their summer concert series. You can apply until April 27. 

♻️ Haines Junction Parent Graduation Society is doing a recycling drive on April 28 from 3 pm to 7 pm, to help pay for their Japan trip. Leave your bottles and cans outside to be collected. 

📚 Titan Tavern and Greek Shop is having a free comic book day on May 3, as well as 20 per cent of savings. 

🏓 There are still a few spots available to learn how to play pickleball, tomorrow at 1 pm at the Canada Games Centre. 

THE YUKON WORDLE

Think you can guess this week’s Yukon Wordle? It has something to do with the changing weather. Play it here.