OTTAWA—Yukon has become the latest Canadian region to strike a major infrastructure funding agreement with the federal government.
Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver signed the decade-long agreement that will unlock $445 million in federal cash for the territory May 3.
“Building infrastructure is challenging and expensive in Yukon given our short construction season, limited resources, and changing climate,” Silver said in a statement. “This agreement provides us with the assurance of long-term funding for infrastructure in our territory, allowing us to plan well into the future.”
Ottawa’s share will cover 75 per cent of infrastructure costs, while the territory, municipalities, First Nations and other stakeholders will foot the remaining bill. The total value of the investments will reach $594 million.
The federal government did not spell out what specific projects the funding would pay for, but said nearly $410 million of the total funding would be earmarked for green infrastructure and rural and northern communities infrastructure.
A further $26 million is destined for cultural and recreational projects and approximately $10 million will go toward bolstering Whitehorse’s public transit network.
