Project Background

In October of 2010, the City retained a consulting team to prepare the Harbour Plan. The team is led by The Planning Partnership, with specialists in ecology, coastal engineering, transportation and economic development. The City and the consulting team are committed to ensuring there is broad based collaboration with the community to explore ideas that will form the framework of the Background Report and Implementation Strategy. The team is working closely with the 17 member Harbour Planning Committee with representatives from City Council, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, several interest groups and residents.

In establishing a framework and vision, the team will examine land and water use, environmental conditions, public access, economic development opportunities, parks, recreation, cultural heritage, arts, roads, and current use of the Harbour. The study will result in an overarching vision for the Harbour, an action plan for implementation, a policy framework, and a regulatory structure to effectively manage development and activities in the Harbour. This study is taking place in the midst of a number of significant policy initiatives and negotiations, including ongoing discussions between the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the City regarding potential adjustments to existing municipal boundaries. This study provides a useful method of exploring the implications of such initiatives in terms of the long-term management of activity within the Harbour.

As part of the public consultation process, public workshops were held on December 1 and 2, 2010 at the Tree of Peace. The workshops consisted of a brief presentation from the consulting team followed by small group discussions on a range of subjects including trails and public access, floatplanes and boats, floating homes, culture and tourism, and economic development. Click here to view the Yellowknife Harbour Plan Open House Presentation.

Based on the preliminary consultation stages, the consulting team offer an emerging philosophy consisting of five pillars which will be applied over time to underpin the Harbour Plan: 

1. All Yellowknife residents contribute fairly to the community;
2. The management and enhancement of the environment is essential;
3. Access to public space is a priority for all waterfront lands;
4. The framework to manage land and water use must be enforced in a manner that ensures fairness and consistency; and
5. Stewardship and management of the Harbour is a community responsibility.

In the new year, the team will continue the consultation process, including the completion of the Background Report that will further detail issues and opportunities. The Report and additional public input will lead to an implementation framework to improve the waterfront, guide development, and manage harbour activities.