Yukon News Releases
Non-medical masks now required at all Yukon airports
Please note that this release has been updated to clarify mask usage.
The Government of Yukon has announced new health measures across all Yukon airports effective July 1, 2020. Individuals entering the building or the airport terminal will be required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering. This is in addition to the measures announced by Transport Canada on April 20, 2020.
Yukon’s Visitor Information Centres begin opening for summer season
Visitor Information Centres will begin reopening across the territory July 1.
As Yukon begins welcoming travellers from British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories without a 14-day self-isolation period, Visitor Information Centres will be an important resource for attractions and amenities, as well as community health and safety guidelines. The centres will observe appropriate physical distancing, as well as all current recommended precautions around personal protective equipment and sanitization.
Phase 2 begins July 1, includes eased travel restrictions for Canadian residents
The Government of Yukon and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released more details today on Phase 2 of Yukon’s plan for safely lifting COVID-19 public health measures. Phase 2 will begin July 1 and includes significant changes to border control measures.
Upgrades begin at Alaska Highway and North Klondike Highway intersection
Construction work to improve traffic flow and user safety has started at the Alaska Highway and North Klondike Highway intersection in Whitehorse.
The work includes widening of the highway with turning lanes off the Alaska Highway and through-traffic lanes, as well as safety upgrades to the road infrastructure. Turning lanes will be installed onto the North Klondike intersection, which will improve road user safety.
New Yukon Resource Gateway Project agreement reached
The Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation have reached an agreement to upgrade parts of the Robert Campbell Highway. This is the fourth agreement reached as part of the Yukon Resource Gateway Project.
The Project Agreement provides financial support for the participation of Liard First Nation citizens in the proposed construction of improvements from kilometre 114 to 171 on the Robert Campbell Highway between Ross River and Watson Lake.
The project is estimated to cost $50 million.
Road tests to resume in July
The Government of Yukon’s Motor Vehicles Branch will resume offering regular road tests as of July 2.
As Yukon enters Phase 2 of A Path Forward: Yukon’s plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, regular driver testing will resume three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday.
To access testing for Class 1 to 5 licences, drivers are required to:
June 24, 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, June 24, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,265 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Border controls to be eased
Nomination period for Council of the Federation Literacy Award open until end of June
The nomination period for the 2020 Council of the Federation Literacy Award has been extended and will remain open until Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award honours educators, practitioners, volunteers, First Nations programs, community organizations and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in adult literacy and are helping Yukon adults develop their literacy skills.
A statement from the Government of Yukon on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Premier Sandy Silver issued the following statement for National Indigenous Peoples Day:
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, an important opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures and traditional knowledge of Yukon First Nations and Indigenous groups across Canada.
First Nations truly are the heart and soul of many Yukon communities. This day gives us the chance to recognize their diversity of achievements and ongoing contributions to the vibrant cultural fabric of our territory.
Final phase of the F.H. Collins track and field underway
The new running track at F.H. Collins will be closed starting June 23, 2020 while the surface is rubberized. This is the final phase of the F.H. Collins track and field project. Work is expected to be complete so that the track is ready for the 2020–21 school year.
Closing the track at this time of year will result in the shortest possible closure. The rubber requires that overnight temperatures stay above 10 degrees Celsius in order for the track to set. The public is asked to stay away from the track during this time to allow for proper installation.
Amendments to the Corrections Act and Regulations come into force
Amendments to Yukon’s Corrections Act and Corrections Regulations to address segregation and restrictive confinement within Yukon Corrections will come into force on June 19, 2020.
The amendments provide a clearer and more comprehensive framework to govern the use of segregation and restrictive confinement. They also establish new independent external oversight and accountability measures for the use of segregation in Yukon’s corrections system.
Government of Yukon provides more than $1.6 million in funding to territorial sport and recreation
The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Lottery Commission and Sport Canada, today announced $1,633,365 in funding to territorial sport organizations, special recreation groups, athletes and officials.
This funding will help Yukon sport organizations organize and run activities related to sport development, leadership development and facility operations and maintenance. It also offers support to individual athletes and officials who have demonstrated they are at a high or elite performance level.
The funding includes:
June 17, 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, June 17, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,245 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Full dental services to resume in Yukon
Vimy Heritage Housing Society continues work on seniors’ housing project
Design and planning work continue for Vimy Heritage Housing Society’s seniors’ housing facility in Whistle Bend.
The Government of Yukon has approved an extension on the hold of lot 511 in Whistle Bend until May 1, 2021 to support the Vimy Heritage Housing Society’s ongoing work to create a not-for-profit, supportive independent living rental housing facility for Yukon seniors.
Government of Yukon seeking a solution to restart work on the Carmacks arena
Construction of the Carmacks arena has not yet restarted this summer. The contractor, Scott Design Build, has not returned to work on this project following a planned winter shutdown.
Commissioner launches new Story Laureate of Yukon program
The Commissioner’s Office is launching the Story Laureate of Yukon program. The Story Laureate will create works that focus on cultural, historical and heritage themes that are relevant to the people who live in Yukon. They will serve as an ambassador for the literary arts, story telling and literacy in the context of Yukon’s past, present and future. The term will run from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022.
Tenants continue to receive protection during COVID-19 pandemic
Residential tenants who are under a health protection measure after June 25 or who need to breach their tenancy agreement because they are under a COVID-19 health protection order will continue to be protected from eviction.
As of July 1, all tenants must pay their rent in full as set in their tenancy agreements, unless they are prevented from doing so because they are subject to a health protection measure.
June 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, June 12, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,235 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
State of emergency extended
Government of Yukon increases investment in mineral exploration
The Government of Yukon is investing an additional $1.1 million to the Yukon Mineral Exploration Program, making a total of $2.5 million available for distribution for successful applicants for the 2020 field season.
The Yukon Mineral Exploration Program is a funding program designed to support individuals and companies exploring for hard-rock and placer occurrences by shouldering a portion of the risk capital required to explore.
Recycling services resume across Yukon
Joint news release with Raven Recycling
Most recycling services across the territory have now resumed after being suspended since March 30. Raven Recycling and many rural recycling and bottle depots are now open during their regular hours. People are encouraged to contact their local depot to confirm, as some rural depots are still working to reopen as quickly as possible.
