The following is a statement on behalf of the Yukon Lottery Commission.
The Yukon Lottery Commission is responding to recent concerns regarding changes to the Travel Assistance Program (TAP) and broader funding for sport, arts and recreation across the territory.
Approximately three years ago, the Commission followed the auditor’s recommendation to draw down reserve funds that had accumulated during the pandemic. Those funds were then reinvested into Yukon communities through expanded support for sport, arts and recreation. This included increases to the Travel Assistance Program, additional funding to community and Territorial Programs, support for major music and arts events, and significant investments in infrastructure and equipment across the territory.
None of these decisions were made lightly. Every allocation was reviewed and debated by the Commission. The Commission managed funds in accordance with available revenues. The Commission followed auditor recommendations to reinvest those reserves into Yukon communities rather than hold them, and Yukoners benefited directly.
Over the past several years, the Commission has supported a wide range of major projects, including:
- Infield renovations for Softball Yukon
- Development of a bike skills park by Pedal Junction
- Strategic partnership support for the Arctic Winter Games Host Society
- A mobile stage through the Yukon Arts Centre
- Equipment for Climb Yukon’s new facility
- Renovations at the Klondike Institute for Art and Culture
- Equipment for the Polarettes new facility
- A biathlon underpass project
- A new snowcat for Mt. Sima
- A groomer for the Watson Lake Ski Hill
- A groomer for the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club
- Territory-wide concert series attended by approximately 10,000 Yukoners
In total, the Commission invested over $4.6 million in 2024–25, over $4 million in 2023–24, and over $1.7 million in 2022–23 into community-based sport, arts and recreation initiatives.
The Travel Assistance Program saw some of the most significant impact from this reinvestment. The increase from $200 to $400 per applicant, which was in place for two years, provided meaningful support to families across the territory and allowed many Yukoners to participate in sport and recreation opportunities they otherwise could not have afforded.
This led to a dramatic and surprising increase in demand:
2025–26: $964,834 (2679 individuals)2024–25: $864,130 (2525 individuals )2023–24: $361,394 (1819 individuals)2022–23: $236,471 (1708 individuals)
At the same time, revenue from lottery ticket sales have declined by approximately 25 percent.
The enhanced TAP level was only sustainable at previous revenue levels. With revenues now reduced, and the reserve fund at the recommended balance, the program has returned to its original amount. The Commission cannot distribute funds that are no longer there.
Sport Yukon has been a significant recipient of Lottery funding over the years.
This includes support for:
- Timing system
- Digital sport promotion project
- Website rebuild
- Arctic Winter Games sport equipment for sport governing bodies
- Volunteer training program
- Multi sport event trailer
- Klondike Road Relay race coordination (multi-year project)
Lotteries contributed over $500,000 to the 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society. While nearly $1 million was requested, approximately half was approved following careful review and debate by the Commission.
The Yukon Lottery Commission remains committed to supporting sport, arts and recreation across the territory. Our funding is directly tied to lottery ticket sales, and decisions must reflect that reality. If ticket sales decline, the amount available to distribute also declines.