Have you noticed Whitehorse doesn’t feel as safe anymore?

The numbers back it up. Growing up in the Yukon, I remember a place where kids could walk to school without fear, where
break-ins were rare, and where downtown Whitehorse was a thriving hub, not a crime hotspot.

Today, that sense of security is gone, and Whitehorse now holds the dubious distinction of being a crime capital of North America.

Statistics Canada and the Yukon Bureau of Statistics show Whitehorse’s violent crime rate is seven times higher than New York City’s. Our property crime rate is over four times higher than Los Angeles’. No other major Canadian or U.S. city comes close to the crime wave our northern community is facing. This issue has been getting worse over the last 10 years as Yukon’s property crime has surged by 42%, and violent crime has soared 47% since 2015. This isn’t just
perception—it’s a crisis.

Main Street, once the beating heart of our community, is deteriorating under the weight of frequent break-ins, gang activity, and even individuals brandishing handguns in broad daylight.

As a father, I’ve seen this shift firsthand. In 2023, a masked man with a shotgun broke into my neighbor’s home as kids returned from school. I had to explain to my six-year-old why police with guns were outside. No parent should have to do that. Despite the crime’s severity, the culprit was released, later arrested for a violent spree in British Columbia. Criminals no longer fear consequences for their actions in our community. In what world is that okay?

The Liberal government’s “catch and release” policies keep letting repeat offenders back onto our streets. Yukon RCMP press releases often note that those they are arresting are already on bail—a norm that’s unacceptable. Meanwhile, the territorial Liberals have stood by while the problem has gotten worse.

The Yukon government must act decisively to fight against this crime wave. We need to stop the growing deterioration of downtown, restoring it as a safe, vibrant space for families and small businesses. The RCMP needs more resources and support to keep our streets safe without fear of their own wellbeing. We must break up central hubs of criminal activity in the downtown core, improve mental health support, and speed up our courts. Tougher laws should
keep violent offenders behind bars.

Finally, the territorial government should lead a revitalization effort to bring back pride in our downtown.

Yukoners shouldn’t need surveillance cameras to feel safe in our own homes. Whitehorse can reclaim its spirit, but only if our territorial leaders step up. The Yukon government must act now—listen to the data, hear our stories, and prioritize the safety of the people who call this place home.

Our kids deserve the Yukon we grew up in, not the one we’re living in now.