Economic Development Strategy

The City of Whitehorse initiated the development of a new Economic Development Strategy in 2024, following the completion of the City’s previous Community Economic Development Strategy, which guided economic initiatives from 2015 to 2020. The new strategy is intended to help shape the City’s role in supporting a resilient, diverse, and sustainable local economy over the coming years.

To inform this work, the City engaged with stakeholders and rightsholders and conducted a jurisdictional scan to better understand local priorities, challenges, and opportunities. Insights from these activities have contributed to the creation of a draft strategy, which is now in the final stages of review before being presented to Council for consideration.

This page will continue to provide updates on the steps the strategy is going through as it moves toward completion.

Draft Economic Development Strategy & upcoming workshops

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The draft Economic Development Strategy is now available, along with the second What We Heard Report, which summarizes feedback received from rightsholders and stakeholders during summer – fall 2025.
To support further discussion, the City will be hosting two workshops for businesses and non-profit organizations on Wednesday, April 1. These sessions will include an overview of the draft strategy and provide an opportunity to discuss its goals and priorities.
Workshop Options
Online Workshop
8 to 9:30 am
In-person Workshop
Yukonstruct
12 to 1:30 pm
Catering will be provided
If you wish to attend, RSVP to Stephanie Chevalier, Economic Development Supervisor
stephanie.chevalier@whitehorse.ca
Downtown Commons Final Report and updated What We Heard available

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The City of Whitehorse commissioned Groundswell Planning to conduct a Downtown Commons Needs Assessment. Completed in 2025, the study identifies a preferred location for a potential Downtown Commons and outlines recommended next steps to guide future decision‑making.
The accompanying What We Heard report has also been updated to include all public engagement activities completed up to December 2025.
Thank you to everyone who contributed their insights throughout the process—your input helped shape this important work.
Downtown Commons What We Heard report available

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Whitehorse’s Economic Development Services partnered with Groundswell Consulting to complete a Needs Assessment for a potential Downtown Commons. This initiative is one of the priority projects identified in the draft Economic Development Strategy. Community engagement played a key role in shaping the assessment, and the findings are summarized in the attached Downtown Commons: What We Heard report. Before the end of the year, we’ll meet with stakeholders to discuss next steps for this project.
What We Heard report available

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The City has released the What We Heard report for the Economic Development Strategy; you can find it here. The draft Economic Development Strategy will be shared with Rightsholders and Stakeholders over the summer for feedback. We thank all who have taken the time to provide input, whether by participating in interviews, workshops, or filling out the survey.
Get involved at our May 15 in-person workshops

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The City of Whitehorse is developing its new Economic Development Strategy for 2024-2029. To help us build the strategy, residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to attend in-person workshops. We'll share the main findings of our engagement so far (survey and individual interviews) and discuss about our strategic goals and actions.
Wednesday, May 15
l’Association franco-yukonnaise (302 Strickland St)
- 8:30 to 10am – Small and Medium Businesses
- 10:30 am to 12 pm – Emerging businesses
- 1 to 2:30pm – NGOs and Social Enterprises
- 3 to 4:30pm – First Nations in business
Although some participants will relate to several groups mentioned, we ask that you attend only one of the workshops to provide space for everybody. Thank you.
Please confirm your participation and send your questions by May 10 to:
Stéphanie Chevalier
Economic Development Coordinator
stephanie.chevalier@whitehorse.ca
(867) 334-1083
Online survey for the Economic Development strategy is now closed

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The Economic Development Strategy survey is now closed. We thank Whitehorse residents, organizations and business representatives who have taken the time to participate in the survey. A What We Heard report will be shared along with the Strategy by this summer.
Stay tuned for the results of our draw for the five Buy Local gift cards, we will share the names soon.