A longstanding backlog of building permit applications within the City of Whitehorse bureaucracy has prompted the Yukon Party to demand the territorial government help the city review the applications. 

“The Yukon Party is again suggesting the Liberal government help the City of Whitehorse address the current backlog of building permits,” the official Opposition said in a statement this week.

“Yukoners are missing out on much-needed housing options due to delays in approving such permits.” 

As of July 11, the Yukon Party said, there were 120 building permits approved to date – with only 24 more handled after city council members addressed the issue more than a month ago.

They also discussed the delays with senior city officials back in May. Staff shortages were mentioned as a factor in the problem.

The longest wait time is now eight weeks. 

The Yukon Party said it believes that with the short building season, the loss of a full two months could make a difference between having a house ready or having to wait a year for completion. 

“We are recommending that the Yukon government engage the City of Whitehorse to provide additional resources so that they can speed up the approval process for these permits and get Yukoners building houses,” said party leader Currie Dixon. 

Yvonne Clarke, the party’s Porter Creek Centre MLA, has previously suggested the government provide additional resources to the city, after she “warned” the government a bottleneck for development permit applications was looming. 

“The advice came following minister (Richard) Mostyn’s decision to release Whistle Bend lots before they were complete, leaving a short time frame at the end of summer,” said Clarke, who represents more than 4,000 Whistle Bend residents.

“It created a surge of applications at the end of the year, and the city has now lagged on approvals throughout 2024.” 

Clarke said the Liberals have created a housing crisis in the Yukon, and now it needs all levels of government – and leadership from the Yukon government – to help solve the issue.

She suggested the advice provided last year has been ignored by the government.

“That’s left residents of Yukon who are searching for homes paying the price. We hope they will act this summer to ensure Yukoners can build urgently needed housing in Whitehorse,” Clarke said. 

The Yukon Star was told the city has reached out for territorial government support, and those conversations are still ongoing. 

“Our government remains committed to expanding access to affordable housing options across the Yukon,” a cabinet spokesperson told the Star.

“This is a priority for Premier (Ranj) Pillai, and we are actively addressing it alongside the relevant partners,” a cabinet spokesperson said. 

At the same time, the city has also posted on its social media seeking building officials.

“To accommodate growth and increase residential development throughout Whitehorse, we are looking to increase our team of Building Officials,” the city says in its post.

“The city is looking for people who have experience in the trades industry and knowledge of the National Building Code to support the growth of the city.”