Yukon News Releases
TAO Tel-Aide to continue providing French-speaking help line services
The Government of Yukon has renewed an agreement with TAO Tel-Aide to provide French-speaking help line services in Yukon for another three years.
Since 2017, Yukon Francophones have had access to a confidential telephone service where they can receive emotional support in French. The help line is based out of south-western Quebec and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The 1-800-567-9699 line is free and confidential. Experienced volunteers, supported by a team of professionals, are there to listen.
Government of Yukon endorses Putting People First
The Government of Yukon is moving forward with the direction proposed in Putting People First, the final report of the comprehensive review of health and social services.
Putting People First provides a roadmap to transform Yukon’s health and social services system into a more integrated, collaborative and person-centred system that will better meet the needs of Yukoners.
August 12, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, August 12, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count is 15. Yukon currently has 13 recovered cases and 2,062 people have been tested.
Masks in schools
Update on school operational plans and school bussing for 2020–21
School operational plans and school bussing information, including bus routes and schedules, for 2020–21 are being shared this week.
School operational plans
Each school in Yukon is required to have an operational plan that outlines how the school will meet the health and safety guidelines for Kindergarten to Grade 12 school settings set by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
One new case of COVID-19 in Yukon
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley today announced the first in-territory case of COVID-19 since April 20, 2020, bringing the territory’s total to 15, including the three Yukon residents diagnosed outside Yukon.
The person is a Whitehorse resident who is recovering at home. Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) has begun contact tracing.
The individual travelled recently to Dawson. All Dawson-related contacts have been identified and are being followed up on.
Government of Yukon shares feedback on student learning during the end of the 2019–20 school year
Yukon students, families and school staff were recently asked to share their experiences and perspectives with learning during the end of the 2019–20 school year. A summary of survey results is now available on engageyukon.ca.
New baggage handling system coming to Whitehorse airport
New baggage handling equipment is coming to the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport. The Government of Yukon is working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to install a new system that will make it safer and faster to manage and screen baggage.
Yukon filmmakers receive project funding
Four Yukon filmmakers have received funding for project development through the Yukon Filmmakers Fund. The fund provides support to Yukon film and video professionals to help them develop viable careers and businesses, making films and videos for broadcast or commercial release.
The funding recipients for this intake are Teresa Earle, Jack Amos, Alex Robinson and Fritz Mueller. The fund covers a range of projects and includes documentaries, a short film and a virtual reality video.
Support for restaurants extended
Restaurants and other businesses with a liquor licence will continue to receive a discount of 25 per cent off the retail price of liquor until November 1, 2020.
The extension takes into account the continued challenges that businesses face during the pandemic, including financial impacts from closures, reopening costs and reduced tourism.
Territory-wide Community Wellbeing Survey launched this week
The Government of Yukon has partnered with the Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to undertake a comprehensive study of wellbeing in Yukon.
As Yukon begins transitioning into Phase 3 of the pandemic response, all Yukoners are being called on to complete the Yukon Community Wellbeing survey to measure territorial wellbeing and better understand the local impacts of COVID-19. The survey opened on Monday and responses will be collected throughout the next four weeks, closing in early September.
August 5, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, August 5, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count is 14. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,769 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Additional information stations set up in Beaver Creek and Watson Lake
Whitehorse students return to school on August 20
Whitehorse schools will resume classes on August 20, 2020.
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Teachers’ Association have worked together to re-schedule a Professional Development day for teachers and school staff to support health and safety training for the 2020–21 school year.
A previously scheduled Professional Development day on October 1 for the Yukon Teachers’ Association Fall Conference is being moved to August 19 for Whitehorse schools. This will complement a Professional Development day already scheduled for August 18.
Possible COVID-19 exposure in Whitehorse and Dawson City
The Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley has advised that Yukon Communicable Disease Control was notified Thursday evening by another jurisdiction that two people have tested positive shortly after returning home from a trip to Yukon.
The Chief Medical Officer of Health has completed a risk assessment and concluded that the risk to local people is low.
However, he is asking that Dawson City residents or others who may have been in the community between Monday, July 20, and Wednesday, July 22, monitor themselves for symptoms.
Yukon offers internships to study impact of COVID-19
Please note that the contact information has been updated.
Joint news release with the Government of Yukon, Mitacs, Yukon University and the University of Alberta North
A unique opportunity to participate in COVID-19 research internships will benefit both Yukon organizations and post-secondary students.
Opioid death toll rises
Concern continues to rise around the number of opioid related deaths in Yukon. Since January 2020, 13 individuals have died as a result of drug overdoses, 11 of which can be directly linked to opioids. The numbers were jointly released today by Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones, Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley and Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost.
Hunting season opens August 1, 2020
The Government of Yukon would like to issue key updates and reminders as hunters prepare for the 2020 hunting season.
Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) lottery
The final list of permit holders is now available online.
Forty-four permits were returned. The Government of Yukon completed five rounds of the reissuance process and is pleased to have issued all permits.
In total, there were 6,079 applications for 270 PHA permits covering six species.
Joint initiative reaches out to families and children in crisis
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and the Government of Yukon have co-developed a campaign that addresses some of the indirect and unforeseen consequences to children and families of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Family violence, substance use and child maltreatment may have increased within families due to an array of factors such as the reduction in child care, social isolation and general anxiety due to the pandemic.
Phase 3 begins August 1, includes changes to social gatherings, social bubbles and plans for sports
The Government of Yukon and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health officially announced today that Phase 3 of Yukon’s plan for safely lifting COVID-19 public health measures will begin on August 1. This will be the longest of the stages, lasting until a vaccine is developed, and will involve a gradual easing of restrictions for Yukoners.
Banking service change for government and Yukon communities
Starting in September 2020, the Government of Yukon will be transitioning community banking services from TD Bank to CIBC.
The new banking service contract with CIBC will ensure continued banking services in communities around Yukon that would otherwise not be served by commercial services. The Government of Yukon is working with both TD Bank and CIBC to ensure there will be minimal disruption of service in communities. The transition will occur throughout communities between September 28 and October 15.
Yukon’s aviation industry continues to receive support
Yukon’s aviation sector will receive a second instalment of federal funding, totalling $1.23 million to help compensate for lost revenues as a result of COVID-19.
As part of this funding Air North will receive approximately $1.06 million over three months. This will help offset the costs of maintaining five weekly flights to Vancouver and three weekly flights on the northern routes to Dawson City and Old Crow. Alkan Air will receive approximately $140,000 in connection with the provision of medevac services from April to June.
