Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn took a few minutes Wednesday to promote his government's track record on lot development.

He provided a ministerial statement on the subject that was full of praise for the government’s accomplishments.

“The Yukon government’s land development branch is working hard to plan and develop an adequate supply of lots in Yukon communities for housing as well as business and economic development opportunities,” he told the house.

More than $30 million will be invested in land development in Whitehorse and other communities, he added, including $13.3 million for continued development of the Whistle Bend subdivision.

“Work is underway on phase B of the subdivision — 101 lots — and is on track to be completed this summer,” Mostyn said.

“Phase 7 of Whistle Bend has just been awarded, and the smaller phase 8 will be awarded shortly. In total, we are targeting completion of more than 200 lots in Whistle Bend this year.”

Early this fall, the government will tender phase 9, a third lift station, storm-water outfalls, and design the next phase for release in early 2023, he added.

As well, Whistle Bend will be beautified.

“We have invested in landscaping Kadzo Park, Casca Boulevard, and will be starting work on green streets and additional boulevard work,” he said.

“We will be completing the Range Point Road master plan with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, advancing detailed design, and looking forward to working on other joint First Nation-Yukon government land development projects.”

The government is targeting the completion of lots and advancing planning work in all municipalities, the minister said.

“In Dawson City, we are wrapping up the master plans for Dawson’s Dome Road and Dredge Pond II and advancing design so we can tender the first phases later this year.

“We are also working with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun and the Village of Mayo to advance planning for country residential development on the upper bench above Mayo and advancing design and completion of additional lots in the village.”

Three country residential lots are being prepared in Carmacks, he said, and a small urban development will be tendered this summer to provide more six lots.

In Haines Junction, seven infill lots are being completed, and planning is proceeding for urban, country residential and industrial developments.

“In Teslin, we are finishing the Yukon government’s side of the Lone Tree country residential development that will deliver up to 23 lots and advancing joint planning with the Village of Teslin and the Teslin Tlingit Council,” Mostyn said.

Numerous residential and industrial development projects in Watson Lake are ready to advance, he added.

“Just last week, I met with officials from Faro, who are preparing to advance their official community planning process and have great ideas for further lot development in that community.

“We continue to engage with municipalities and First Nations to develop a range of lots to meet short- and medium-term demand and support their plans for land development needs for the long term,” Mostyn concluded.

The opposition parties responded to that statement with somewhat less enthusiasm.

Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeod said, “As we have seen many times with this Liberal government, they talk a big game and under-deliver when it actually comes time to perform.

“The Liberals have had six years to figure out land development, and yet we are in a lot development and housing crisis.”

Kluane MLA Wade Istchenko discussed land prices last week, McLeod recalled.

“Since the member for Kluane didn’t get an answer last week, I will try again. Will the government sell the lots that the minister just alluded to at the development cost, the appraised cost, or somewhere in between?”

In Watson Lake, she added, “area residents have been waiting for a number of years to see lots developed.

“Land on the Frances Avenue extension has been identified for development and lots were expected to hit the market in the spring of last year,” McLeod said.

“The town has done its job and submitted an updated OCP; however, the Liberal government has failed yet again this year to tender the development of the subdivision.”

She asked if the Frances Avenue extension is part of the development.

While Mostyn discussed lot development in several communities, McLeod added, “he hasn’t noted the anticipated cost.

“Is the government considering taking action to mitigate rising costs and ensure that the costs are affordable for residents in those communities?”

In Whitehorse, she said, “residents and developers have been clamouring to access more lots in the growing subdivision of Whistle Bend.

“I point to the delays in getting phase 7 on the market. Originally, lots were slated to be released last year; however, there was a cancellation and re-tendering of the construction contract.”

She asked if the phase 7 lots will be ready for a land lottery this year.

Emily Tredger of the NDP also had criticisms.

“There seem to be plenty of plans and promises but mostly plans, and who knows when the homes will actually materialize?” she said.

“The minister spoke about residential lots in Carmacks, but there were no timelines or details — just promises.

“In the meantime, they do not have any residential lots to offer people wanting to move there or for Carmacks citizens wanting to build a home.”

Highways and Public Works Minister Nils Clarke has advised the Village of Carmacks that the demolition and remediation of the abandoned grader station lot won’t start until 2025, Tredger added.

“This is a problem for that municipality. What is the minister of Community Services doing to expedite this issue so that Carmacks can move ahead with their official community plan to offer lots for commercial and residential buildings that are so desperately needed, to say nothing of the eyesore left behind that was once the grader station?

Tredger continued shredding Mostyn’s statement.

“What about all of the other communities that can’t currently offer a single residential lot for building on?” she asked.

“Over-the-counter residential lots for purchase do not exist for any Yukon community. Spring is here and the building season is well underway.”

It’s interesting that the Yukon Party questioned the high cost of lots that are coming online, Tredger said, “because the system changed under their leadership, but here is the thing: the Liberal government has been in power since 2016, and lot prices have only continued to rise. They know that there is a problem, but they haven’t fixed it.

“Market value and development costs are different, but again, no action,” Tredger said.

She also asked about a change in the Yukon Housing Corp. home building loan program.

“We have shared examples of people being pre-approved for mortgages, buying lots, and then not being able to build an actual home because they can’t finance their build,” she said.

“How is this helping Yukoners? What we need is housing that is actually affordable, and as long as this government leaves that up to the market, prices will just keep going up, and Yukoners will keep moving away because they can no longer afford to live here.”

Mostyn bristled at those comments.

“Under the 14 years of the Yukon Party government, we saw continuous growth of the population in the Yukon with very few housing projects being developed,” he said.

“Frankly, we’re still paying the price for the Yukon Party’s inaction on this file.”

Under the leadership of then-Yukon Party cabinet minister Brad Cathers, Mostyn said, “the Yukon Party cancelled a $13-million affordable rental housing program to appease private sector developers.

“Shortly after that, the member for Lake Laberge was removed from his position as Community Services and housing minister.”

The current government has a different approach, he said.

“Our Liberal government has built strong relationships with municipal and First Nation partners.

“Over the next five years, our goal is to develop 1,000 new residential lots across the Yukon. Meeting the increased housing demands in the Yukon is not something that one government or organization can accomplish alone,” the minister added.

“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships and develop creative approaches to addressing the housing demand in the Yukon.”