Yukon gives RCMP more money to solve homicide, missing persons cases

The government of Yukon is giving more money to the RCMPto investigate unsolved homicides and missing persons cases in the territory.

The force's M Division in Yukon will receive $442,000 annually for three years, to create a Historical Case Unit. Three new full time officers will be hired.

In a statement, Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPheesays the decision is in response to "the unusually high number of recent homicides in Yukon."

"We want those responsible to be held accountable and for families who have lost their loved ones to be supported in their efforts to find answers and seek justice."

The governmentsays the new investigative unit's work will relate to the national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and itsmandate will include liaising with First Nations, victims' families, and community groups.

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"Our goal is to bringthese investigationsto successful conclusions, and ultimately, to provide answersto the families of the victims," Yukon RCMPChief Supt. Scott Sheppard said in a statement.

The N.W.T. government also announced last month that it willfund an RCMP unit dedicated to working on cold case files. In this year's budget, $304,000 wasearmarked to the unit.There are 71 unsolved, historical cases of missing and murdered persons in the N.W.T.

According to the Yukon government, there have been 35 homicide investigations in the territorysince 2000, and 12 remain unsolved.

Last year alone, there were eight homicides in Yukon a number unmatched in records going back to 1961. So far, only two of those have resulted in criminal charges.

The most recent homicide in Yukon happened last week, when a 25-year-old woman was killed in a Whitehorse apartment building. No one has been arrested.

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