The MLA for the Whistle Bend neighbourhood is complaining to the government and the City of Whitehorse – once again – about the flooding in some areas.

Yukon Party member Yvonne Clarke has sent a letter to Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn about the situation.

“The challenges and concerns associated with the ‘green streets’ in Whistle Bend have been well-documented and debated,” she wrote in the letter.

“I have been raising these on behalf of constituents for years. Now, with the unseasonable temperatures, I have received a number of concerns from Whistle Bend residents about flooding in their neighbourhoods and, in some cases, their homes.”

According to the plans and the sales agreements that land buyers signed, these green streets were intended to be small, landscaped walking paths not intended for vehicle use, Clarke noted.

“Residents who have seen flooding in their homes previously are once again having issues,” she said.

“These are situations that have previously been identified to the Yukon government (YG) and acknowledged. I understand some work has been done to address the causes of flooding; however, they have not to date been fixed.”

Clarke said at least one property-owner on Iditarod Lane has been in contact with the city, YG and Northwestel Inc. regarding water migrating into their home, beginning in the spring of 2023. She said neighbours are experiencing similar issues.

While landscaping will be completed this spring, Clarke said, there is a major concern among homeowners that with the spring thaw, there will be more flooding.

“This is completely unacceptable for these homeowners.”

She is asking Mostyn to promise these issues will be addressed before the spring thaw to ensure there is no further damage to homes.

She told the Star Feb. 1 she thought fixing the problem before spring is a realistic expectation.

“I hope so.”

Clarke is also asking whether the government will provide any compensation to the affected residents.

“There’s a long list of issues the Liberal government has failed to address with development in Whistle Bend,” she said. “They have acknowledged these issues – but keep passing the buck onto the city.”

City of Whitehorse officials did not respond to the Star’s request for a comment. Instead, they deferred to the Yukon government and Northwestel.

Renée Francouer, a spokesperson for cabinet communications, told the Star, “Respectfully, and out of common courtesy, the minister’s office will be responding directly to the MLA for Porter Creek Centre, who sent the letter, as is the process with all letters.

“We take concerns expressed from all Yukoners very seriously, and, as the government, it is important we respond to all correspondence with accurate information in a thoughtful manner.”