Ontario Construction News staff writer
Whitehorse, YT — The City of Whitehorse will benefit from over $2.3 million in federal transit funding aimed at enhancing the city’s public transportation infrastructure. This funding is part of the new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) and will provide predictable, long-term financial support for a period of 10 years, from 2026 to 2036.
Whitehorse will receive $2,368,720 in funding over 10 years (2026-2036) for the improvement and maintenance of its transit system. Federal funding is contingent on the submission of capital plans and the signing of funding agreements.
Funding will go toward upgrading, replacing, and modernizing Whitehorse’s existing transit infrastructure, as well as maintaining it in a state of good repair. This stable funding will enable the city to address the growing demand for transit as Whitehorse continues to expand rapidly. The federal investment is part of the Baseline Funding stream within the CPTF, which is designed to offer communities predictable, long-term support for routine capital investments, expansion, and state of good repair projects.
“We are committed to building high-quality and affordable public transit, and this new long-term funding will make a big difference. Providing Whitehorse with stable, predictable funding over the next 10 years will support their existing transit system and help meet the needs of their community,” said the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
The federal funding comes at a crucial time for Whitehorse, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. The funding will help the city keep pace with the increasing demand for transit services while supporting long-term sustainability.
“Whitehorse is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, and enhancing public transit is key to ensuring the sustainable growth of our community,” said Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron. “In recent years, we have taken significant steps to expand transit services to better meet the needs of residents, but it remains a challenge to keep pace. Meeting the growing needs of our community will require substantial investments in the years to come and ongoing support from our federal partners.”
The Canada Public Transit Fund’s Baseline Funding stream, which is designed to support communities of all sizes, including rural, remote, northern, and Indigenous communities. The CPTF is the largest public transit investment in Canadian history, with an average of $3 billion a year in permanent funding starting in 2026-27. Since 2015, the federal government has committed over $30 billion to public transit and active transportation projects, funding nearly 2,000 initiatives across Canada.
The CPTF supports communities of all sizes, from large urban centers to rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Since 2015, over $30 billion has been committed to public transit and active transportation, funding nearly 2,000 projects across the country.
The CPTF will provide permanent funding of approximately $3 billion per year starting in 2026, with a focus on transit-oriented development, affordable housing, and sustainability.
The CPTF includes three funding streams: Metro-Region Agreements, Baseline Funding, and Targeted Funding, to address various needs, including electrification and rural transit.
By ensuring predictable funding for public transit, the federal government continues to support communities like Whitehorse in meeting the challenges of growth and climate change while improving quality of life for residents. The CPTF will help to shape a future where public transit supports the creation of more livable, sustainable, and inclusive communities across Canada.
