Whitehorse councillor chides Yukon government for ignoring municipal needs

The Yukon government must make it a priority to include municipalities' needs in its 'ask' for federal infrastructure money, says Whitehorse city councillor Betty Irwin.

Last night at city council, Irwin introduced an amendment for the Association of Yukon Communities' (AYC) annual general meeting.

That meeting takes place from May 12-15 in Watson Lake.

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Irwin's amendment beefed up the resolution regarding access to federal infrastructure money. Irwin wants the resolution to "more clearly state the need"for municipal input in infrastructure funding decisions.

The resolution would thereforecallon the Yukon government to ask municipalities what their priorities are annually, and incorporate that information into the territory'sinfrastructure plan.

Irwin says too oftenthe Yukon government doesn't place enough emphasison the different "priorities and timelines" of Yukon communities.

"The municipalities have been kind of left outhangingon this," she said."They submit a wish list, and it's been, 'Gee, too bad you didn't get your wish, here's something else.'"

Irwin's amendment also included a request to the Yukon government toreport to the Association of Yukon Communities, and all municipalities, on the progress of the territory's infrastructure plan.

The amendment will be debated at next week's council meeting.