The New Democrats are calling on the territorial government to establish a Yukon transit system.

During question period in the legislature Monday, NDP Leader Kate White grilled the government on the issue.

“The Yukon Community Travel Project Final Report states — and I quote: ‘People need transportation to access the activities that contribute to their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.’

“Costs of living are skyrocketing, and there are many reasons why a person may not have access to a private vehicle,” White told the house.

“We’re in a mental health crisis, and access to transportation is so important to make sure people can access the supports they need.

“Whether that’s clinical counselling, addiction services, health care, spending time with friends, or getting out on the land, it all contributes to the health of communities,” she said.

“Does the minister recognize that affordable access to transit between communities is not just a matter of convenience, but of mental health and wellness?”

Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn responded, “Here in the territory, we have a road network that is the envy of many of the other territories. We have lost, in recent years, access to a bus service — for example, Greyhound.

“In my past capacity as Highways and Public Works minister, we dealt with this on a national level.”

When Greyhound buses were withdrawn from the territory, Mostyn rejected the idea of creating a subsidized substitute service.

“We have to make sure that we have good transportation throughout our communities,” he said Monday.

“We have companies up in Dawson — Husky Bus and others — that are starting to move into that sphere to actually provide transportation to people who are coming into Whitehorse from other communities,” Mostyn added.

“I am really hoping that those private individuals and companies fill the gaps that we see throughout our territory in terms of transportation.”

White wasn’t satisfied with that.

“We hear the government talk on a regular basis about supporting local businesses and supporting folks staying in their communities,” she said.

“There is no better time to start talking about rural transit than right now. Not only would we be supporting the local economy and a green future, but we would also be allowing folks to age in place and raise their children in their home towns.

“Just imagine the benefits that this would have on mental health and affordability in rural Yukon. Just imagine this road network that the minister highlighted being utilized to support community connectivity.”

She asked Mostyn if he would work with First Nations, municipalities and local businesses to implement an inter-community transit plan that would be outside the existing routes.

That brought Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai into the mix.

“I think that it is work that we have been undertaking,” he said.

“In the last session of the legislative assembly, the Department of Economic Development worked very closely with Liard First Nation on an initiative to ensure that they have the right infrastructure, which was the funding of a van that they were using to move their citizens in and out of Watson Lake to Whitehorse.

“We have continued, when possible, to support the private sector in these endeavours,” Pillai said.

White scoffed at that.

“One of the fastest, most effective ways to make a difference would be reducing the need for individual folks to drive,” she said.

“When will the government implement a territory-wide community transportation plan?”

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker jumped in at that point, but still didn’t directly address White’s question.

“Of course, we encourage at all times car-pooling and riding together,” Streicker said.

“We’re investing in the City of Whitehorse public transit system. We’re investing in active transportation. We are giving rebates for electric vehicles, including e-bikes.

“That won’t get you from one community to another, but it will help you get around in your community,” Streicker added.

“There are all sorts of ways in which we are investing in a transportation system of the future that uses renewables.”