Yellowknife won't host 2026 Arctic Winter Games, minister confirms
CBC
The Northwest Territories won't host the 2026 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife, says the territory's municipal affairs minister.
Minister Shane Thompson told the Legislative Assembly this week that the idea was considered, but the City of Yellowknife decided against the territorial government's proposal.
"Ultimately, the decision was the City of Yellowknife's to make, and I respect their decision," Thompson said.
"I can confirm that the [territorial government] has communicated to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee that it's not proceeding with hosting the Arctic Winter Games in 2026."
The 2026 games had first been slated to be held in Russia, but the Arctic Winter Games international committee has suspended Russia's hosting due to its war with Ukraine.
The N.W.T. is scheduled to host the games in 2028, and the committee wrote to Thompson earlier to ask if the territory would move up in the hosting rotation and take over the 2026 slot.
The idea was brought to Yellowknife City Council earlier this year. Some council members said at the time that they weren't sure the benefits of the games would be worth it for the city. The main concerns they cited were costs, space and staffing resources.
Thompson now says the games will instead come to Yellowknife as planned in 2028.
"They asked us to move it up. We worked with the City of Yellowknife to see if we can host it. They came back and said they couldn't with the parameters that we were asking for," Thompson told the legislature.
John Rodda, president of the Arctic Winter Games international committee, said in January that if Yellowknife declines to host in 2026, the international committee would have to think fast.
"Normally, planning for the games takes about three years," he told CBC News.
Snow and freezing rain could affect morning commutes on Tuesday, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada.
Daniel Jolivet, 68, had his first taste of freedom this weekend after spending the last 33 years behind bars.
Peguis First Nation is suing former chief Glenn Hudson over allegations he failed to act in the best interest of the band and financially benefitted from breaches of duty — including claims that he enriched himself, his family and supporters.
The Saskatchewan NDP's pace in 2025 has been frenetic.
If you’re ever walking down this east Hamilton neighbourhood during the holiday season, there’s a festive house that just might grab your attention.
It was just a few months ago that U.S. President Donald Trump told the world he doesn’t want Canadian cars.
Flu cases across Canada are on the rise and may push hospitals to their limits over the holidays and into the new year, leading health officials in regions across the country to warn people not to visit emergency rooms unless it's absolutely necessary.
More than 30 years after Canada's military allowed women to serve in combat roles, it's now specifically designing uniforms and body armour to fit their bodies.
The holiday season has arrived in Thunder Bay, and that means reduced hours, or closures, for businesses, city offices, and other amenities.
As Toronto’s food scene continues to grow, some in the industry say the pool of professional chefs hasn’t kept up with demand.
Police have charged a truck driver from the Hamilton area in a hit-and-run crash that killed a tow truck operator who had been stopped while helping a driver on the side of Highway 401 outside Woodstock, Ont.
Power has been restored to most of Haines Junction after a problem earlier on Monday at the local generating station.
A 56-year-old man will return to court on Tuesday for a charge of second-degree murder, laid in a case London police have called an act of femicide.