Canada Infrastructure Bank invests millions into housing project in the north

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) officials can now boast that they are investing in projects from coast to coast to coast.

It was announced on June 19 that CIB is providing a $19.8 million loan to help Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) build about 400 new homes in the Yukon capital of Whitehorse.

Kwanlin Dün is the largest First Nation in the Yukon and is located in and around the city.

The housing project, located over 45 acres, is a joint development between KDFN and the government of Yukon. The new community, which will consist of 387 houses, will be called Chasàn Tatäy.

The project will be located on two adjacent pieces of land; 37 acres of KDFN settlement land and eight acres owned by the territorial government.

The CIB had previously invested in projects spread out across all 10 Canadian provinces. The CIB’s first investment in one of the country’s three territories was this past February, providing $100 million for an energy security initiative in the Northwest Territories.

And then earlier this month, CIB announced it was loaning $6.7 million for a clean energy project in Nunavut.

“It means that we are in every jurisdiction,” said Hillary Thatcher, CIB’s managing director of investments, of the Yukon deal. “But certainly, getting to the territories was the most challenging because things are usually more costly. And the economics are more challenging to make work.”

Thatcher, who is Métis and also leads CIB’s relationships with Indigenous communities, said she has now accomplished one of her goals. 

“We have been in long discussions with a number of the communities and a number of the regions across the territories,” she said. “And so, it was part of my goal to make sure that we got an investment in each.”

Thatcher said there is a great need for the housing project.

“Whitehorse is a booming population,” she said. “And they have a real housing challenge, just like many other areas of the country. Last I heard from one of the ministers, it was over a thousand houses needed in Whitehorse to meet the demand. So, this is going to have a pretty significant impact in Whitehorse.”

Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron said the development “will mark a new, Indigenous-led model that will significantly increase housing options in our community.”

Cameron said “Whitehorse is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, with a strong demand for housing. And we need to look at innovative ways to meet the needs of our residents.”

The CIB loan will provide funding to help build some of the infrastructure required for the new community. Thatcher said the loan will go towards water and wastewater mains, building roads, as well as the utility corridor and connections. Broadband services will also be generated.

“It will prioritize Indigenous members from the Indigenous community as well,” she added.

Thatcher has visited the location of the new community.

“It's a gorgeous site,” she said. “There’s a view of the mountains in the background and they've done the tree clearing now.”

Thatcher also anticipates the CIB will be able to provide details about other projects in the country’s territories within the next year or two.

She said CIB is currently in discussions involving another housing development in the Yukon.

“It is a model,” she said of the Kwanlin Dün project. “These things can be replicated. And once you start seeing the first one up and off the ground, you can see others moving in the territories.

“The northern premiers meet fairly regularly. And so, they share these types of examples so that they can look at how do you leverage what was done in one region to another. So, that's really helpful.”

Several others are also praising the upcoming housing project, including KDFN Chief Sean Smith.

“Kwanlin Dün First Nation has been working collaboratively with governmental partners on projects of mutual benefit to construct more homes for KDFN citizens and residents of City of Whitehorse,” he said. “It is through the Land Vision developed with citizens over the years that has created and support this important development of KDFN settlement land.”

Richard Mostyn, the minister of community services for the Yukon government, credited the CIB for its contribution.

“Our partnership with Kwanlin Dün First Nation has been instrumental in helping the Government of Yukon meet the demand for new lots and provide new and innovative opportunities to meet the housing needs of our growing population,” Mostyn said. “This unique collaboration has also opened the door to more partnerships in land development.”

Local Journalism Initiative Reporters are supported by a financial contribution made by the Government of Canada.