The Yukon Party is calling for action on what it says is rising property crimes in Whitehorse.

The topic was broached by MLA Geraldine Van Bibber during Monday’s question period.

“Over the past several months, there has been a wave of crime throughout Whitehorse,” she noted. “Small businesses have been particularly hard-hit and have faced break-ins, theft, property crime and vandalism.

“In some cases, businesses have been targeted multiple times and have faced multiple break-ins. Small businesses are getting frustrated and want to see increased action to stop criminal activity and ensure that they can operate their businesses safely,” she added.

“What steps is the government taking to ensure that businesses have the safety and security they need to operate and that the RCMP has the resources they need to combat crime?”

Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee answered the query.

“I see that the question is aimed at the community of Whitehorse in particular,” she said.

“I can indicate that the Department of Justice has in the past met with not only the RCMP, but with businesses and associations representing those businesses in downtown Whitehorse to speak about these issues.

“I can also indicate that the policing priorities set by the Police Council and the Department of Justice that proceed from the Minister of Justice’s office to the RCMP indicate that these kinds of community relations are incredibly important and a priority for our work going forward,” McPhee added.

The 2022-23 fiscal year budget contains more money for the RCMP and the priorities set, she said.

Van Bibber had more questions ready.

“Crime has been on the rise for the past three years, and this increased criminal activity is becoming more and more problematic for our capital city,” she said.

“While there have been many impacts from this, one has seen the pall that has been cast over small businesses that are already suffering. Some businesses are looking to relocate and some are even considering closing down altogether,” Van Bibber added.

“If we want our downtown to be a safe and secure place to live, let alone operate a business, we need to see some change. Will the Government of Yukon make dealing with property crime that has become commonplace in Whitehorse the top priority in their annual issuance of policing authorities to the RCMP?”

McPhee did not answer directly.

“Our government funds significant and ongoing investments in police resources through the Territorial Police Service Agreement with the RCMP, and the Yukon has one of the highest police:capita ratios in Canada, averaging approximately one RCMP officer for every 337 residents here in the territory,” McPhee said.

“The RCMP forecasts its anticipated human resources operational funding and capital investment needs to the Government of Yukon through an annual financial planning process, and that financial planning process has been built into our Yukon government budgeting process, as noted in the budget that was presented by the premier on Thursday.”

The issues Van Bibber has raised, the minister said, “are incredibly important for the RCMP, for the community of the City of Whitehorse, and for individuals running businesses and their homes and the safety therein and are a policing priority for the RCMP and the Department of Justice together.”

Van Bibber retorted with “Combatting crime has become a key priority for the business community in Whitehorse.

“If we have not addressed this growing issue of crime in the community by the time tourism returns to full swing, this will have a negative impact on our economy.”

Whitehorse, she added, “prides itself on being a welcoming place for tourism, and growing amounts of property crime could unfortunately tarnish this image if not addressed soon.

“How will the minister include the voice of small business and the tourism community in the setting of Yukon’s policing priorities for the RCMP?”

McPhee repeated that she recognizes the importance of the crime issue, and said it’s a priority for the RCMP.

“I don’t want to speak on their behalf, but I can speak about how we set those priorities together and those are reflective of the community and the community’s wishes.”

In a media scrum afterward, Yukon Party MLA Bard Cathers also touched on the issue.

His party, he said, would like to see more officers added to the RCMP in Whitehorse and the Yukon, among other moves.