FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                  February 15, 2024

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party Official Opposition is wondering when the territorial Liberal government asked for, and was made aware of, federal funding for a new bridge over the Yukon River at Dawson City.

During question period in the House of Commons on Wednesday, February 14, the Prime Minister let it slip that the federal government was funding a new bridge.

From Hansard:

“Through the national trade corridors fund alone, we are building projects like a new bridge over the Yukon River in Dawson City, new interchanges on Highways 101 and 103 in Nova Scotia…”

The project is listed on the federal government’s website under the National Trade Corridors Fund as part of a $135 million expenditure on the North Klondike Highway, which also includes 110 km of road construction. That amount appears insufficient to pay for the full scope of the work.

“With an aging ferry and annual challenges with building an ice bridge, Dawson needs a long-term plan for a river crossing,” said Economic Development Critic Geraldine Van Bibber. “However, public consultation on a bridge was concluded just a few weeks ago, and I wonder if that input was considered. Also, the bridge is not in the territorial Liberals’ 5-year capital plan, so more details are needed regarding the total project costs and timelines.”

The territorial Liberals’ track record on bridge construction and budgeting is poor. The Nisutlin Bay Bridge project is tens of millions of dollars over budget, and the Big Creek Bridge project west of Watson Lake sits partially completed. Both projects are years behind schedule.

“The Liberals need to share when they requested funding for this project,” added Van Bibber. “Yukoners need to know if the project will be completely funded by the federal government or will Yukon taxpayers be responsible for any costs. There is potential for a win for Dawson, but this announcement will come as a surprise to many in the community and they deserve answers from the government.”

See Backgrounder.

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Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026

Backgrounder:

Here is a link to the Prime Minister’s comments from question period in the House of Commons on February 14, 2024.

Debates (Hansard) No. 282 - February 14, 2024 (44-1) - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca)

Here is a link to the project on the National Trade Corridors fund website. The project is listed on page 7.

Projects funded by the National Trade Corridors Fund (canada.ca)