Community Plan Comprehensive Update

Think of a Community Plan as a shared vision and a roadmap that guides how our city grows and evolves. It helps us answer big questions like:

• Where should new housing be located?
• Where do we need parks, schools, and services?
• How can we move around safely and efficiently?
• How do we protect the land, water, and environment we rely on?
• Where to grow and retain businesses and industries for our thriving economy?

A strong Community Plan means we’re planning for the future, not just reacting to change. In Yellowknife, our Plan helps guide decisions about:

• Housing – including intensification (making better use of land) and work camps
• Resilience – preparing for climate change and protecting the natural environment
• Well-being – ensuring services and infrastructure support people’s everyday needs
• Safety – designing a city where everyone feels secure and connected 

We’re looking ahead to the year 2050. A lot can change in 25 years, and we want to make sure Yellowknife is ready. This updated Community Plan will help us:

• Grow Together, Sustainably - Use land, housing, and infrastructure wisely so we can welcome new residents, strengthen communities, and avoid stretching our services too thin.

• Care for the Environment - Protect the land, water, and natural spaces we love. Tackle climate change with thoughtful, responsible choices.

• Build a Strong, Resilient Economy - Support local businesses, create good jobs, and grow key sectors like tourism and mining so everyone benefits from a thriving economy. 

Interested in getting involved? Here are a few ways you can actively help shape the future of Yellowknife.

Become a Community Animator (CA)

As a CA, you will help the project team with in-person and hybrid outreach and engagement efforts, including distributing flyers, assisting with event setup and wrap-up, taking notes, sign-ups, and encouraging participation from passersby.

Visit our pop-ups!

We’ll be hosting creative activities that invite Yellowknifers to share your perspectives on what makes you proud to live here, what you think needs to change, and what you hope the city will look and feel like in 2050. Come find us and have your say!

• Farmer’s Market - July 8 | 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. 
• Lakeshore Co-op - July 9 | 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
• Aquatic Centre - July 9 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. / July 10 | 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Coming this fall: Public engagement sessions

Join us for in-person and virtual discussions focused on key topics, including:

• Land Use and Intensification
• Housing and Work Camps
• Environment and Climate Resilience
• Infrastructure and Transportation

Follow the project on PlaceSpeak for more details and to stay updated on engagement opportunities.  

Phase 1: Project Initiation & Visioning (Spring-Summer, 2025)

• Community outreach and branding
• Engagement with stakeholders to develop a vision and goals

Phase 2: Background Research & Working Reports (Summer–Autumn, 2025)

• Research on demographics, economic growth, and land needs
• Policy development in key areas (land use, housing, work camp, infrastructure, transportation, environment, climate change, economic development & tourism and public safety)
• Stakeholder engagement in each policy area

Phase 3: Policy Development & Mapping (Autumn 2025–Winter, 2026)

• Creation of thematic maps
• Development of detailed policy frameworks

Phase 4: Draft Plan for Public Consultation (Spring–Summer, 2026)

• Release of the draft Community Plan
• Public hearings and feedback collection

Phase 5: Plan Approval (Summer–Autumn, 2026)

• Council review and approval
• Decision by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and final adoption 

For general inquiries about "Let’s Talk YK 2050 - Community Plan Update", email at letstalkYK2050@yellowknife.ca.