Housing Shortage and Soaring Gas Prices Leave Carcross Businesses Scrambling for Workers
Small business owners in Carcross, Yukon, are struggling to find seasonal workers this year, as a lack of affordable housing and rising fuel costs make it increasingly difficult to attract and retain employees in the popular tourist community.
A Delayed Opening and a Staffing Crisis
Shelley Macdonald has operated her custom jewelry boutique at the Carcross Commons retail complex for 14 years. This spring, for the first time, she was forced to delay opening her shop because she could not find any staff.
“I was like, ‘ok, I’m setting up shop and I have no staff,'” Macdonald said. She eventually persuaded a longtime employee to return, allowing her to open for the season.
The Carcross Commons is a seasonal retail complex open from May to September, located roughly 75 kilometres south of Whitehorse. It draws significant tourist traffic during the summer months.
The Cost of Getting to Work
Macdonald points to two compounding factors: a near-total absence of local housing, and the high cost of commuting from Whitehorse.
“In Carcross, there’s no accommodations,” she said. “So many people would love to come to Carcross for work, but where are they going to stay?”
For those willing to commute, the math is discouraging. “Gas to get out here from Whitehorse is about $25 to $30 — it’s not cheap,” Macdonald said.
Stephanie Lawson, another Carcross Commons retailer, has adapted by commuting 150 kilometres every weekday to staff her own shop. Unable to find employees this spring, she now runs the business herself during the week.
A Longstanding Problem Made Worse
Heike Graf, whose coffee shop was among the original businesses at the Carcross Commons, says limited housing has always complicated seasonal hiring. Rising fuel prices, she says, have pushed the problem to a new level.
“People really have to make a decision — if I cannot find housing and I’m coming from, say, Whitehorse, do I drive every day and is this even worth it?” Graf said.
Graf says she has been fortunate to build a team of local staff in recent years. But she argues that a more structural solution is needed.
Calls for a Housing Solution
Graf is advocating for a dedicated housing project tied to the Carcross Commons — one that could provide accommodation for seasonal workers and potentially involve trades training for students.
“This would be a great solution,” she said. “Maybe students that want to learn a trade could be involved. I think this would be a great idea.”
In the meantime, business owners say they will continue to find creative ways to keep their shops staffed — even if that means doing much of the work themselves.
