Live locally, work globally

A place to live, work and invest

Life in the Yukon

• 44,535 people live in the Yukon. Of those, almost 79% live in Whitehorse, the capital city.
• There are 14 unique First Nations in the Yukon.
• About 80% of the Yukon is wilderness.
• The sun shines for up to 24 hours a day in the summer.
• The average summer temperature in Whitehorse is 15°C with highs of 31°C.
• It does get cold here, too, with an average of -18°C in the winter.

Entrepreneurship in the Yukon

In 2018, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business named Whitehorse the top community in Canada for entrepreneurship. 

Did you know?

• The Yukon’s economy grew by 10% in 2021, one of the highest growth rates in Canada for the year.
• The average wage in the Yukon is 17% higher than the Canadian average.
• In 2022, the Yukon had one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada, averaging 3.7%.
• 33% of workers in the private sector are self-employed.

Join our knowledge economy

The Yukon has a lively innovation ecosystem with many programs and supports.

Yukonstruct and the NorthLight Innovation hub

Yukonstruct is a non-profit organization. It’s a community of makers, entrepreneurs, creators, innovators and leaders.

The society runs NorthLight Innovation. It was the 1st community innovation hub in northern Canada and offers many programs.

• Learn how to start a business in the Yukon with Pathfinding Services.
• The Startup Bootcamp is an 8-week intensive program to help you develop your business or grow your idea.
• The Be Your Own Boss program helps you:
  • get inspired.
  • refine your idea or passion.
  • turn your idea into a business.
• Yukonstruct and Yukon University run the Yukon Investment Challenge. The challenge is for:
  • entrepreneurs looking to fundraise.
  • people who want to invest.

Yukon University Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Their programs support your business from concept to commercialization.

• Connect with professional services and funding for your project.
• IncubateNorth helps you grow your business locally, nationally and internationally.

TechYukon

TechYukon is an association of technology-driven companies in the Yukon. 

• The Digital Adoption Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for the costs of adopting e-commerce. Businesses are supported by a network of e-commerce advisors.
• Learn the basics of artificial intelligence with North of AI.

Yukon Business Nominee Program

A foreign business owner or entrepreneur can apply to run their business in the Yukon. Before you apply, talk to 1 of our advisors about eligibility requirements.

Why the Yukon?

Top-3 advantages of working in the Yukon

1. Job openings

There are opportunities in many fields. Some industries offer training and entry-level positions where you can start and build your career. The Yukon has a need for:

• healthcare workers;
• teachers and education staff;
• tourism and hospitality workers;
• government employees;
• tradespeople; and
• retail workers.

2. Competitive wages and benefits

Workers in the Yukon have a higher standard of living than in most other places. The wages tend to be higher, the taxes lower and many employees have access to competitive benefit packages.

3. Range of workplaces and industries

The Yukon offers a broad range of services and opportunities in many industries including:

• tourism;
• education;
• healthcare;
• agriculture;
• construction;
• professional services;
• trade;
• retail;
• technology;
• mining; and
• manufacturing. 

Top-3 ways First Nations map the way

1. Ushering in the future

The Yukon has groundbreaking land claims and self-government agreements. Through decades of innovation and commitment, First Nations are mapping the way to a better future for all Yukoners. 

2. Modelling self-governance

Yukon First Nations are an important partner in the governance of the territory. First Nations’ traditional territories cover almost all of the land in the Yukon. Of the 14 First Nations in the Yukon, 11 signed modern treaties between 1993 and 2005. These First Nations make laws and decisions on their Settlement Lands and for their Citizens. The Government of Yukon works with all Yukon First Nations to deliver programs and services to Yukoners and manage the territory’s land and resources. By working together, we can:

• grow our businesses;
• create jobs; and
• generate new and better economic opportunities.

Learn more about Yukon First Nation land claims and self-government with Mapping the Way.

3. Cultural integration

The spirit of reconciliation is key to the Yukon’s cultural landscape. It binds Indigenous to non-Indigenous people. These active partnerships shape life in the Yukon.