Fast-forward to 2050, what would make you proud to call Yellowknife home?
The City of Yellowknife is updating its Community Plan, our roadmap for how the city grows, moves, and thrives into the future. But we can’t do it without you.
Whether it’s the kind of housing we build, the way we move around, or how we care for our environment, we want to hear your ideas. What should stay the same? What needs to change? What would make life better for you, your family, and future generations?
Your voice will shape the Plan that guides how Yellowknife develops between now and 2050.
This is your city. Let’s build our future, together.
What is a Community Plan?
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
Our Vision
We’re looking ahead to the year 2050. A lot can change in 25 years, and we want to make sure Yellowknife is ready.
After hosting various pop-ups and engagements across the city, as well as an online survey, a Vision has been defined for the Community Plan Update, looking ahead 25 years. View our vision statement in section 4.0 of the What We Heard: Phase 1 of Public Engagement Report.
What We've Done So Far
In spring 2025, Stantec Consulting Ltd. was hired to prepare projections of how our population and jobs might change over time. The anticipated growth and projected scenarios help us understand the impact on homes, services, and amenities, both now and in the future.
The report includes:
- An overview of the factors that could affect population growth in Yellowknife.
- Population projections to 2051, with low, medium, and high growth scenarios
- Employment projections to see how jobs may change.
- An estimate of land needed for homes, businesses, and industry through 2051.
This research has been completed and the Population - Economic Projection and Land Need Assessment is now available.
What's Next
- Release of the Draft Community Plan
- Public hearings and feedback collection
Timeline Overview
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, 2026)
- Release of the draft Community Plan
- Public hearings and feedback collection
Phase 5: Plan Approval (Summer, 2026)
- Council review and approval
- Decision by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and final adoption
Initial Findings
To plan for Yellowknife’s growth, the City needs thoughtful projections of how our population and jobs might change. The anticipated growth and projected scenarios help us understand the impact on homes, services, and amenities, both now and in the future.
In spring 2025, Stantec Consulting Ltd. was hired to prepare these projections. The report includes:
- An overview of the factors that could affect population growth in Yellowknife.
- Population projections to 2051, with low, medium, and high growth scenarios
- Employment projections to see how jobs may change.
- An estimate of land needed for homes, businesses, and industry through 2051.
See the full Population - Economic Projection and Land Need Assessment report.
For general inquiries about the Let’s Talk YK 2050 Community Plan Update, email @email.