Yukon energy costs could be set to rise

Good morning,

It’s been a few months since we started the Lookout and to say I’m surprised would be an understatement. We are almost at 2,000 newsletter subscribers, many of you have reached out directly sharing ideas and stories and I’ve even managed to meet a few of you in person.

But it feels we’ve only scratched the surface. There’s a lot more we can do.

So a few weeks ago, I met with a writer to commission our very first story. It’s not quite ready yet, but it’s close. And I can’t wait to share it.

Why is this a big deal? Because I believe it’s the next step for the Lookout. Local news is a really tough place to be right now. But with so many of you reaching out, sharing the Lookout and providing feedback, I feel like we might be onto something here.

All this to say, thanks for sticking around.

Now let’s get to today’s newsletter

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

TERRITORY

Yukon energy costs could be set to rise

What happened: If you thought energy prices were expensive already, well, I’ve got some potential bad news for you — Yukon Energy Corporation has applied to the Yukon Utilities Board to spend an additional $350 million over the next three years.

How it would impact you: Yukon Energy says that it would increase the cost of electricity by about $25-$30 per month for 2025-2027, for anyone who uses an average of 1,000 kWh of electricity. The cost increase is estimated to be around 34 per cent over three years.

Yukon Energy has identified a number of projects they wishes to fund, including completing the battery energy storage system, renewing water licenses in communities around the Yukon, and replacing aging diesel units in Mayo and Whitehorse, amongst other things. 

• The biggest line item is $180 million for upgrading the Mayo generating station and preventing ongoing rockslides.

Zoom out: The Northwest Territories is also weighing a rate hike of 15 per cent, to cover rising fuel costs, inflation and capital projects, according to CBC.

What it means: It’s not just Yukon grappling with energy price increases. Canada-wide, prices increased by 14.2 per cent on average between 2020 to 24, with Whitehorse having the third highest at 22.4 per cent, while Alberta’s was a shocking 40.1 per cent, according to the Globe and Mail. Aging infrastructure is always a challenge when it comes to costs.

• Using these capital costs to upgrade infrastructure is spread out over multiple years, which is the case in the Yukon. Some of the existing infrastructure is over 60 years old. However, it will be up to the Yukon Utilities Board to approve the increase.

Next steps: A public review of the rate increase is set to take place in the coming months, according to CBC, and could take up to a year to review by the Yukon Utilities Board. A technical workshop will be held on May 29 and more information on that meeting can be found here.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Is this about as Northern a style of living as you can get?

Close to Whitehorse, 15 acres, rural, a serviced rental cabin, and a massive shop… It really has it all. The home itself is not too shabby, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,761 square feet of living space.

But how much will this slice of Yukon set you back?

THE AGENDA

🏗️ The City of Dawson has released more details on the new recreation centre. It would include a skating rink, two curling sheets, a fitness centre, an indoor play area, a community kitchen and an indoor walking rink. The bleachers would be able to hold around 150 people. You can see a video rendering walk-through here. 

💰️ Speaking of recreation centres, Haines Junction has received $110,000 in planning funds for its future recreation centre. The location could include an aquatics centre, fitness area, and a multi-use space. But don’t get too excited yet, the money is just for the initial design phase. For context, Dawson’s new recreation centre is slated to cost $65 million. 

🧑‍⚖️ A man has alleged in a statement of claim in the Yukon Court that he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in an immigration fraud scheme, where an immigration consultant funnelled money into her partner’s business. Multiple companies are named in the lawsuit, including the owners of the Yukon Mart. None of the allegations have been proven in court. [CBC]

🚨 A man has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving, including one causing death, in the collision on Aug. 2 of last year that killed a Yukon civil servant on the Alaska Highway. 

🔥 Heads up that there will likely be a prescribed burn on May 26 near Hidden Lakes trail. Access to Chadburn Lake Road may be restricted for part of the time. 

🎤 The City of Whitehorse is seeking public input on their Climate Action Plan. You can contribute until June 20 by following this link.

YUKON BURGER RANKINGS

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

🛣️ The Top of the World Highway and the Alaska/Canada border crossing near Dawson are now open for the season. 

🚵 As of May 16, Pay Dirt and Whipsaw biking trails are closed around Dawson. Many others are open, along with hiking trails around the city. 

🏪 The Haines Junction Free Store is now open Friday-Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm for anyone who wishes to donate. Reminder that food, water bottles and large items cannot be donated. Large items can be shared in their new Facebook group.

🏊️ Dawson’s pool is not yet open as of a Facebook update on Monday, though they are hoping to open it this week. 

🖼️ A bunch of exhibits are ending on Friday at the Yukon Arts Centre, so there’s still time to check them out if you haven’t already. 

🚤 The Lake Laberge campground boat launch is complete and is now once again open. 

🎥 The National Film Board is now streaming Saturday, by Yukon filmmaker Jessica Hall.

🏘️ Dawson has announced development grants of up to $20,000 to support garden suites for rental housing. You can learn more about it here.

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival | Yukon Arts Centre | June 8, 10 am-4 pm | Arts activities for kids and families, all free | Activities

Yukon Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show | Takhini Arena | Jun. 13-16, 4 pm | If you love dogs, this is for you, with eight confirmation shows, and more

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson | Multiple dates in July | For kids 5+, learn outdoor skills and survival strategies | Register

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

Arts + Music

A Conversation with Mary Walsh | The Sternwheeler Hotel | May 23, 7-9 pm | A night of wit, wisdom and laughs with This Hour Has 22 Minutes alum Mary Walsh | Tickets $55

Opening Reception for New Exhibits | The Yukon Arts Centre | June 5, 5-7 pm | Cocktails and appetizers, along with the new exhibits

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

Our Lady Peace Concert | Shipyards Park | June 28, 5 pm | A free concert featuring Our Lady Peace!

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

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | 27 14 Ave. Whitehorse | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

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

Outdoors and Sports

Velonorth 2025 Spring Group Rides | Meet at Midnight Sun Coffee/Icycle | Saturdays, Now until June 7, 10 am | Two-hour road ride with other cyclists | Free

Wolf Creek Fry Release | Wolf Creek Campground | May 25, 11 am-2 pm | Learn about Chinook salmon conservation efforts, free BBQ lunch and help release the salmon into the creek

Seed Library Talk | Whitehorse Community Garden | May 29, 12-1 pm | Get your gardening questions answered | Register by emailing [email protected] 

The Ball & Chain Challenge - Hybrid Golf for a Good Cause | 3 Olive Place | Disc golf fundraiser with live music, bbq and games, includes game, foo,d and drink tickets | $500 per team of four

Southern Lakes Yukon Gran Fondo | Starting at McClintock Bay | June 1, 10 am | If you can bike 173 km, then this is for you! | Learn more

Out There, From Here: Bikepacking Trip to Lime Peak | June 14-16 | Come explore the space around us with a biking and hiking trip near Lake Labarge | Sign-up

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

Pine Lake Triathlon | Haines Junction, Pine Lake | Jul. 20, 8 am | 1 km swm, 23 km bike and 6km run | Register here

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

Yukon Innovation Day | Multiple locations in Whitehorse | May 22 | Events to celebrate and showcase local innovators and entrepreneurs | Learn more

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

German Springfest | 90351 Alaska Highway | May 24, 5-9 pm | Different German foods to try

Hootalinqua Volunteer Fire Department BBQ | 427 Klondike Highway | May 25, 10 am-3 pm | Community BBQ, market and garage sale, kids can tour the fire trucks

Winterlong Turns 10 | Winterlong Brewing | May 31, 12 pm-7 pm | Live music, fun and more with their biggest anniversary celebration yet

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

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon

• Head route setter/program coordinator, Climb Yukon Collective in Whitehorse

• Community housing coordinator, Government of Yukon in Whitehorse

• Building services manager, City of Whitehorse

• Mining liaison, First Nation of Na Cho Nyäk Dun in Mayo

• Custodian, Atlin School in Atlin

THE YUKON WORDLE

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