The Yukon Party is thrusting the Yukon government’s controversial plan to relocate École Whitehorse Elementary School (EWES) from downtown Whitehorse to the Takhini neighbourhood back in the spotlight ahead of territorial elections that have yet to be declared.
If elected to form government, the now-Official Opposition Yukon Party made a commitment to re-evaluating the school relocation project, citing a lack of consultation with the Takhini community and a poor location selected, via a press release on July 3.
EWES is ranked at the top of the Yukon government's list for Whitehorse schools that need a substitute. The replacement school is set to be built on the Takhini educational reserve, the same land where Takhini Elementary School is located and where two softball diamonds sit. The existing Takhini school is ranked third on the urban school sub list.
The opposition party is calling for the Liberals not to award any construction contracts on a new EWES until after the elections to allow for an “appropriate consultation process.”
The school relocation project turned into a municipal election issue for some voters who went to the polls to mark ballots for Whitehorse city council last fall. The Yukon Party appears to be keeping the issue topical.
The Yukon Party is suggesting the Yukon NDP continued propping up the minority Yukon Liberal Party government through the confidence and supply agreement, or CASA, between the two caucuses, despite the surprise. This project was omitted from CASA and the territorial NDP supported the government, despite inadequate consultation with Takhini residents, who are the constituents of Yukon NDP Leader and Takhini MLA Kate White.
White has expressed her shock around the initial announcement to replace the downtown school up the hill in Takhini.
During the fall 2024 sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, MLAs from both opposition parties voted 10-7 in favour of a Yukon Party-led motion calling on the Yukon government to formally start a process to consider alternative locations for the future site of EWES. The motion expresses the will of the legislature but isn't legally binding.
Education Minister Jeanie McLean said the territorial government has met with affected groups like Softball Yukon, Sport Yukon and the Takhini Neighbourhood Association to discuss the replacement project plans. She indicated that other locations in Whistle Bend, Riverdale and Porter Creek were weighed but deemed less suitable.
McLean suggested the former Yukon Party government left the Liberals with a school infrastructure deficit and built F.H. Collins Secondary School “much too small” and without Yukoners’ input.
Yukon elections must take place by Nov. 3.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
