What should the North do about the tariff threat?

Good morning,

And welcome to the very first edition of the Yukon Lookout!

Chances are you saw one of our posts online, thought what the heck is this and decided to check it out. Well, my hope is that it’s interesting enough that the over 400 of you who’ve signed up are willing to stick around. 

The newsletter is pretty simple. We’ve got one big story we break down in detail, a huge list of events in your community, additional news stories you might’ve missed this week, and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.

Lastly, you’ll also see some very cute puppies I’m fostering. I’m not saying you need to adopt them, but I can promise they are extremely cute and in need of a new home.

Without delay, let’s dive into today’s newsletter!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

The Yukon Weather Report

YUKON NUMBERS

⛷️ 1,232: The amount of kilometres that Whitehorse Nordic covered in the Long Ski Challenge against Kamloops.

🏠️ 2%: The rate of the residential rent index for May 15. Landlords cannot increase rent more than this rate. It’s set to the consumer price index.

📉 7%: The drop in spending from Dec. 14-Jan. 15 while the GST tax break took place, according to payment provider Moneris. It would appear the federal government’s GST holiday had little impact on spending in the North. [CKRW]

THE NORTH

What should the North do about the tariff threat

What happened: Sometimes friends fight, it’s only natural. With the threat from Trump’s tariffs, Canadians are starting to ask just how close should we be with our American neighbours. Do we keep visiting? Should we buy Canadian-only? But up here in the Yukon, it’s a bit of a different situation… 

• In a place where everyone relies on each other, and in some ways we’re closer to our Alaskan neighbours than major Canadian cities, it’s raising questions about how the North should deal with the potential tariff issue.

Response: Before Trump backed down on the tariff threat to Canada with a 30-day pause, the territory had a plan in place, including ending the sale of American liquor through the government’s liquor corporation, and a review of procurement rules, according to CBC. That’s on hold now.

• One bigger escalation would be tolling American drivers travelling on the Alaskan Highway.

What locals think: The mayor of Haines, Alaska, a place that I’m sure many readers have visited — who doesn’t love the Three Northman or spending a late (or really late) night at Fogcutter — penned a letter to the Yukon, saying the President’s attacks on Canada “don't necessarily represent the views of the folks in our town” and that he wished to “reaffirm a relationship of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance,” according to CBC. 

• The letter also noted how closely connected their community is with the Yukon, for important services like ER and veterinarian services. The mayor of Whitehorse also penned a response letter, praising the close relationship between each city. 

A reversed dynamic: While most experts acknowledge Canada is far more reliant on the US for trade than vice versa, the dynamic is a little more complex as we zoom in on the North. Both Haines and Skagway are only accessible by road through Canada and rely on many services provided by Whitehorse.

• There’s a level of connection that just isn’t the same say, between Seattle and Vancouver.

Shared economic impact: The entire northern region is also closely connected economically. For instance, both countries back in December announced funding for the Mactung mine, according to CBC. The Yukon government also committed $45 million to an ore dock in Skagway, a critical way for the territory to export natural resources.

The numbers: According to the Office of the Trade Representative, Alaska exported $5.2 billion of goods in 2023 to the entire world. Canada ranks as the fifth biggest exporter at $594 million behind China at $1.2 billion, Japan ($710 million), Korea, South ($702 million) and Australia ($602 million). So while it’s not at the top, it’s still significant.

• If tariffs were implemented, the cost of goods could rise for Alaska, including heating. 

What it all means: Most of the major news outlets Outside don’t understand how interconnected some communities are up here. The unique challenges of the North mean we may have to approach the situation in a different way than other places. Regardless of what’s going on south of the border, spiting our neighbours, especially those living in smaller American communities, seems short-sighted.

• Thought-bubble: While it’s a great sign that Canadians are embracing purchasing locally (something we should’ve done sooner!), we have to remember that our shared experience of living in the north is something that unites us, and no matter the challenges posed by governments in faraway places, that shared sense of togetherness between places like Haines and Skagway is something we should remember as tempers flare.

Disclosure: In the interest of transparency, please note that my partner works for the Yukon government.

NEW JOBS

Discover a new job in the Yukon:

• Chief administrative officer, Town of Faro

• Bus driver, City of Whitehorse

• Wildlife interpreter, Yukon Wildlife Preserve

• Primary health care nurse in charge, community nursing — Beaver Creek Centre

• Manager of road safety, Highways and Public Works — Transport Services

HOME OF THE WEEK

Did I start off our very first home of the week by finding one of the nicest (and most expensive) ones in the territory? Yes, I did.

But can you blame me? This 0.7 acre, 4,500 square foot home can only be described as luxurious. It’s a single level layout, so you don’t have to climb stairs, with a really nice kitchen setup, sauna heated floors and an outdoor area designed to have people over.

Of course, a place this nice comes with a steep price tag…

THE AGENDA

❌ A reminder that City Hall and many City of Whitehorse offices will be closed on Friday for Heritage Day. Waste processing will be open (which is good for all the puppy waste I’m dealing with), and the Canada Games Centre will be open as normal. But for those over in Haines Junction, the landfill and recycling centre will be closed.

⛏️ The Yukon government shared on Tuesday that around 19 million litres of toxic water have escaped from the Eagle Gold mine containment pond, reaching Haggart Creek nearby. Over 100 million is being stored in storage ponds, and one of those is leaking. Currently, copper-treated water is being released back into the environment, due to the future spring melt potentially overwhelming the storage ponds. [Yahoo News]

😷 If you flew on an Air Canada Flight 66 that landed in Vancouver on Feb. 11, you should monitor for measles symptoms. They appear seven to 21 days after and include a high fever, cough, and a red blotchy rash. And second, just stick with Air North!

⛷️ Biathlon lovers got some good news this week. The provincial and federal governments are investing $2.9 million into a new Biathlon Yukon building, which will be used for the upcoming 2026 Arctic Winter Games.

👮 The RCMP are asking for help to find a suspect in the armed robbery of the Edgewater Hotel in Whitehorse on the morning of Feb. 17. He’s male, between 5’8 and 6 feet and was wearing a light blue jacket.

EVENTS

Whitehorse

The biggest event this weekend is obviously Rendezvous, from Feb. 7-23. Here’s a link to the entire schedule. We’ve also included a few of the bigger events below. Ticketed events can be found here, but many ticket sales are going fast!

Western Wonderland a Drag Extravaganza | Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre | Feb. 20, 8:30 pm doors open, start at 9 pm | Tickets $60

Rendezvous Hockey Tournament | Canada Games Centre | Feb. 21, 12 pm-5 pm | Come watch some hockey! 

Chilkoot Trail Non-Motorized Weekend | Feb. 21-23 | Come ski and enjoy the park with no motorized vehicles

Selkirk Elementary Rendezvous Carnival and Market | 5 Selkirk St. | Feb. 21, 11 am-4 pm | Family friendly carnival and market, a fundraiser for Selkirk Elementary School | Free

Jew-ish-Musical Story Telling | The Guild Hall, 27 14th Ave. | Feb. 22, 7 pm | Unique, autobiographical solo violin show about growing up Jewish in Montreal | Tickets by donation

Mad Trapper Contest | Shipyards Park | Feb. 22, 11 pm-2:30 pm | Axe throwing, chainsaw chuck, flour packing and more! | $20 to register, free to watch

Rendezvous Fiddle Show | 4230 4th Ave. | Feb. 22, 2 pm | Fiddler show featuring performers, including three-time Canadian Grandmaster Fiddle Champion | Tickets $25

Rec-Connect Youth Day Trip | Mt. Lorne Community Centre | March 2, 9 am-8 pm | For youth 11-14, a day of team building, outdoor skills, skating and more | Tickets 

Comedians Keith Pedro and Simon Glassman | Boiler Room | Mar. 7, 8, multiple times | Come see 2022 Comedy Album of the Year nominee Keith Pedro, and Simon Glassman who appeared on Just for Laughs | Tickets $30

Snowshoe Fest | Biathlon Yukon, Grey Mountain Road | Mar. 8, 1 pm open, 1:30 pm “start” | Explore snowshoe loops and sunny trails | By donation

Monty Python’s Spamalot | Yukon Arts Centre | March 25-30 | A musical inspired by one of my favourite movies Monty Python and the Holy Grail | Tickets $40

Haines Junction

Haines Junction Thrift Shop | St. Christophers Church | Feb 20, 2 pm-6 pm | Adult items $2, kids items $1

Glacier Nights Snow Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre | March 7-8 | A snow sculpting event, and be sure to bring your toboggan | Learn more

Yukon Hardwater Racing | Pine Lake | March 15-16 | X country racing, kids racing and more | Registration open Mar. 1

Dawson City

Opera Residency: Karim Al-Zand’s The Book of Tales and Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle | 902 Second Avenue | Feb. 21, 7 pm | A night of music and performance with multiple singers and piano | Admission by donation

Danceathon | KIAC’s Community Event Casino | Diamond Tooth Gerties | Feb. 22, 8 pm-11 pm | See who can dance the longest and earn some prizes (dance moves not needed!) | Free

Mardi Gras/Pancake Tuesday | St. Anglican’s Church | March 4, 5 pm | Pre-Lentent pancake supper, all are welcome, donations appreciated | Free

Lip Sync - Dawson City Music Festival Fundraiser | Diamond Tooth Gerties | March 14, 7 pm | Come solo, as a duo or in a group | Suggested donation $20

Watson Lake

43rd Annual Watson Lake Outdoor Bonspiel | Watson Lake Recreation Centre | Feb. 20-22 | This year’s theme is still alive!

Drop-in Community Hockey | Watson Lake Recreation Centre | Every Friday, 7 pm-9 pm | Stop by and play some hockey

Carmacks

Ping Pong + Foosball Night | Carmacks Recreation Centre, Box 113, Carmacks | Feb. 22, 12:00 am | Free

Faro

Faro Ice Squirm | 200 Campbell St. | Feb. 28-Mar. 1 | Family fun, with broomball, carnival games and more

Teslin

Teslin Lakespiel | March 8-9 | Family-friendly curling on the lake, soup contest and pancake breakfast | Contact [email protected] to register

Have an event you want to be listed? Reply to this email with all the info and we’ll include it our next one.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Has this been one of the most challenging weeks in my life because we’re fostering six puppies? Yes. Did I create this newsletter to help get these very cute puppies? No, but it is a happy coincidence.

In all honesty, while it’s been challenging, it’s an experience I wouldn’t change. How often can you say you helped six little troublemakers puppies?

There are still a few looking for their forever home. If you’re interested or know someone who is, reply to this email, and I’ll connect you with Small Paws Rescue and Rehome.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Have someone you think was a volunteer star in Whitehorse? You can nominate them for the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award here. 

• If you’re looking to book aquatics classes for the spring in Whitehorse, lottery registration opens March 4-5. You’ll receive an email on March 6 if you get a spot. More info here. 

• A heads up that it’s the Canadian Masters Nordic Ski Championships this weekend at Mount McIntyre. You can see what’s accessible and what’s closed.

• Tombstone Territorial Park has provided a trail update as of Feb. 14. Lots of trails are open!

• Here’s a great story about Yukon climbers trying to ascend a very tough peak. [Gripped]

• The Yukon Arts Centre is accepting applications for the Swan Lake Artist Residency, from April 17-30. You must apply by Feb. 24

Have something you want featured in the next edition? Shoot us an email!

GOOD NEWS

I love to cook. Since coming up North, I’ve tried to do even more of it. So I’m so excited to see this story of students and teachers in the English Language Learners program at F.H. Collins Secondary School putting together an international buffet on Tuesday, with food from places like Norway, Scotland, France and Bangladesh. Food is one of those things that really brings people together.

GAMES

News Quiz

Yukon Guesser

When I ran by this spot last night, it had decidedly more snow. I didn’t take a photo, so I grabbed this one from Google Maps.

Can you name either of these streets? Bonus points if you know the community that’s down the hill. Reply with either the street or the community, and you could be featured in the next newsletter.