Photo: Curtis Geroux/CKRW
The City of Whitehorse is getting a helping hand from both the Yukon and Federal government to complete upgrades to it’s waste management services and transit
WHITEHORSE – Investments to expand transit and waste management services for the City of Whitehorse were announced earlier today.
In a joint funding agreement, the governments of Yukon and Canada announced $4.2 million in support to the City of Whitehorse. The funding will assist in purchasing two 40-foot accessible buses and upgrades to the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility Transfer Station.
The additional buses will be added to the fleet in order to better serve Whitehorse’s expanding population. Those with impairments or who need mobility aids, as well as those traveling with strollers and young children, will benefit from their accessibility features.
The funds will also be used to improve the Whitehorse waste management facility. The garbage collection area will be extended, and areas will be surfaced to improve litter and snow removal management. It will include the acquisition of more garbage bins to enable for improved waste separation zones for goods such as clean wood, organic waste, construction debris, mixed rubbish, and recycling, in order to assist decrease the environmental effect of unsorted waste.
Mayor Laura Cabott says this is significant funding to see come through the pipe.
“In addition to the $2.2 million-plus contribution for the federal government, I’m pleased to confirm that the government of Yukon is contributing $737,500 towards upgrades for the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility. These upgrades will improve the services available at the city’s waste transfer station, reducing the impacts unsorted waste has on the environment. I said it many times we’re producing far too much garbage in the Yukon and in North America, and we have to do better”
Yukon Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn says waste management needs to see continental improvement.
“In addition to the $2.2 million-plus contribution for the federal government, I’m pleased to confirm that the government of Yukon is contributing $737,500 towards upgrades for the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility. These upgrades will improve the services available at the city’s waste transfer station, reducing the impact unsorted waste has on the environment. I said it many times we’re producing far too much garbage in the Yukon and in North America, and we have to do better”
The City of Whitehorse plans on revamping transit routes with changes coming soon after the council approves the new transit route concepts.
Free transit was one of the items included with the new Confidence and Supply Agreement.
