The City of Whitehorse is still pursuing solutions to its lengthy backlog of building permit applications, and believes a new remote building inspection system will help.

“We anticipate the remote virtual inspections will speed up the permitting process,” Matthew Cameron, the city’s spokesperson, said this week.

“Remote virtual inspections allow for more flexibility and accessibility on the part of contractors, builders and building officials, and will save time (avoiding the need to travel to the site, for example).”

A registered building official will conduct each inspection under the pilot program. 

However, the system allows these officials to inspect a building off-site, with the contractor or builder using a phone or tablet on-site. An inspection report will be completed by the building official and delivered to the contractor digitally.

Such systems have been used in other cities in the country, including Edmonton, Calgary, and Pemberton, B.C.

As The Yukon Star reported Wednesday, the backlog is delaying some contractors in beginning their housing projects, notably in the fast-growing Whistle Bend subdivision, as the city’s chronic housing shortage continues.

“Introducing remote virtual inspections is one of the steps the city is taking to expedite the permitting process and address staff shortages at Land and Building Services,” the city said.

Officials have contracted external help to review building plans and permit applications, reassigned staff, and engaged specialized recruitment consultants to address the delays by hiring more building officials.

Some residents remain optimistic. Heather Sealey, commenting on the city’s social media page, said she believes such initiatives will help the city fast-track the building inspection service, speeding up construction projects. 

Not all residents are on the city’s side, including contractors, believing the city should put more focus on dealing with the permit backlog issue because some of their employees have had to be laid off. 

“There’s currently a national shortage of building officials, which makes it extra-challenging to fill these vacancies,” Cameron told The Yukon Star in an email. 

“The team at Land and Building Services that work on building permits is comprised of five positions and there are currently two vacancies.

“Land and Building Services has also secured the assistance of external support, including a retired building official, to conduct plan reviews of building permit applications in an effort to lessen delay.” 

The city has reached out to the territorial government for any additional resources that could help the city solve the problem.