The Yukon Housing Corporation plans to conduct additional lead testing in Whitehorse during the upcoming winter and spring seasons. This decision follows previous tests in 2025 that revealed elevated lead levels in select public housing units.
After testing nearly 200 units last year, it was discovered that 22 units exceeded the Health Canada guidelines for lead levels. Scott Kent, the minister overseeing the Yukon Housing Corporation (YHC), confirmed the upcoming testing in response to inquiries from Lane Tredger, the Official Opposition housing critic.
Of the 22 units that initially showed high lead levels, further testing confirmed that only six units had unacceptable levels of lead. Five of these affected units were occupied, while one was vacant. Fortunately, no children resided in these households.
According to Kent, stagnant water was identified as the primary cause of the elevated lead levels. The upcoming testing will target several units within the YHC properties in Whitehorse. The corporation aims to flush the water in vacant units, while occupied units pose a lower risk due to regular water usage.
The territory plans to prioritize testing in older residential buildings constructed before 1990, as these structures may contain lead-based solder commonly used in copper plumbing at that time.
