City council has adopted its list of priorities for this term in office, which will end in October 2024.

Items on the list of six priorities are general in nature, but a 13-page report has also been developed to flush out specifics under each of the categories.

The priorities adopted Monday evening are:

•Housing and development;

•Engagement and collaboration;

•Inclusivity, accessibility and diversity;

•Community safety;

•Climate change and adaptation; and

Service excellence.

“I am really hoping we get feedback from our citizens over the next couple of months to see if they are in support of where we are going over the next two years,” Coun. Kirk Cameron said.

Coun. Ted Laking said he and many of the members of council heard during the run-up to the October 2021 municipal election that housing, affordability and availability was a concern.

He noted the city will be looking at traffic congestion along its key transportation routes, like Mountainview Drive and Quartz Road.

There was a general acknowledgment by members of council that they put a lot of time and effort into developing the priorities.

“I want to thank my colleagues and staff for putting this document together,” said Mayor Cabott. “It is very ambitious.”

Cabott pointed out 71 per cent of the Yukon’s population lives in Whitehorse, with an average age of 37.

There’s also the trend of more and more seniors staying here, she noted.

Cabott said the population growth in Whitehorse is the highest in the country.

The number of buildiing permits is up, as is actual construction, she said.

Coun. Michelle Friesen said many great things can be said about the work that went into developing the list of priorities and the 13-page report.

Under the housing and development priority, for instance, the priorities include a call for planning the next subdivision and creating the ability for businesses to add staff housing on commercial and industrial lands.

The housing priorities include a call for the establishment of a housing committee and the evaluation of opportunities for the redevelopment of the site for the Municipal Services Building site. The Fourth Avenue building is empty and is scheduled for demolition.

Under climate change, the priorities include creating and implementing a strategy to effectively respond to and adapt to climate change, improving active transportation infrastructure and investing in the transit system.

Priorities under engagement and collaboration include ensuring reconciliation and collaboration with both the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council, as well as increasing knowledge and recognition of Indigenous culture.

Improving services to support aging in place, reviewing accessibility standards and expanding accessibility for all are the priorities set out under inclusivity, accessibility and diversity.

Ensuring Whitehorse continues to be fiscally responsible is a priority under service excellence, along with reviewing the city’s role in tourism advocacy, evaluating traffic congestion on key transportation routes and improving snow and ice management.