Ottawa denies cash for downtown Yellowknife safety initiatives

It is advisable that those who contemplate engaging in business at Yellowknife should acquaint themselves with local conditions.

– From a 1949 Yellowknife information pamphlet from federal Lands and Development Services Branch

As the City of Yellowknife and Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce work to find ways to improve the business climate and safety in the core-area, one source of funding has given two key ideas the cold shoulder.

This as more businesses continue to struggle with social conditions that have not been adequately addressed for decades; public intoxication, drug use, vandalism, and harassment are common, creating a challenging environment.

The YK Chamber submitted a Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) funding application to explore creating a Business Improvement Area, officials shared this week.

The proposed three-year pilot would support coordinated efforts, such as shared security, beautification, and joint promotions, without requiring immediate self-funding

Application update as of last December? The Chamber said its funding application was not approved and other funding sources and opportunities are now being explored.

Based on research of similar Downtown Ambassador programs across Canada, city staff worked with NWT Tourism and the YK Chamber to develop a project scope and draft budget.

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Downtown Ambassador programs in Canadian small cities and mid-sized centers act as a, friendly, and helpful presence designed to improve public safety, cleanliness, and visitor experience.

These programs involve trained personnel who patrol key areas, connect with vulnerable populations, support local businesses, and provide tourist information. They report problems to police.

The federal government often funds municipality initiated Downtown Ambassador programs in small cities and communities, typically through regional development agencies such as CanNor, as part of broader downtown revitalization, tourism, or economic recovery initiatives.

But CanNor funding application was not approved. Alternative funding sources are being explored.

The City and YK Chamber said CanNor explained it has been directed to tighten budgets (as with other federal entities) and are “also being asked to assess project fiscal returns in greater detail.

Some business owners in Yellowknife’s downtown core are concerned public drunkenness and violence is escalating, affecting their ability to attract customers, but police and community organizations say it’s a community problem that will take many heads to solve.

–  From a CBC North story in 2016.

Kerry Thistle, the city’s director of economic opportunities and investment, said on Monday evening the plan Downtown Ambassadors for now is, “to find a champion to lead the pilot project,” as Downtown Ambassador programs work well in other centres.

But the Ambassadors need to be well-trained before they hit the streets.

“People that would be Downtown Ambassadors really need to be properly trained to address or deal with the kind of behaviours that they’re going to be faced with,” Thistle said.

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“The other key part would be tracking … how many interactions and what were the results. We did talk to municipalities about how they did track information. One municipality has their ambassadors have iPads as a way that they can enter information.”

“I avoid taking my kids downtown as much as possible. They don’t need to experience public intoxication, people screaming, swearing and fighting, drugs being openly consumed and sold. Unfortunately, they have witnessed this and it frightens them.”

–  Yellowknife Rants and Raves contributor J.J. Ford, 2025

The City and the YK Chamber said they have made progress on several of the top initiatives from the What We Heard Report released last July from the earlier Downtown Business Safety and Vitality session:

• The City’s Municipal Enforcement Division (MED) has boosted its bylaw officers’ downtown presence to enhance visibility and safety.
• The Economic Development team has actively supported local event organizers by helping streamline logistics such as security, insurance, and permitting, while also promoting collaboration.
• The City has co-hosted and supported multiple downtown events this summer, helping to bring more positive activity and energy to the area,
• The City developed an Incident Response Guide to help businesses and staff know who to contact for what, including RCMP, Municipal Enforcement, and private security.

And a local business owner submitted a budget proposal for a social enterprise model to support employment and social inclusion initiatives downtown. That initiative is still looking for funding.

A social enterprise employment model is typically a revenue-generating business that prioritizes social, cultural, or environmental goals over profit, typically significantly reinvesting back into its mission.

An example given is The Mustard Seed, a non-profit organization that has been operating in seven cities across Western Canada. It’s described as a “supportive haven” where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence.