Yukon News Releases
Commissioner launches the Daisy Mason Wellness Fund
The Commissioner of Yukon, the Bishop of the Anglican Church and the Skookum Jim Indian Trust Fund are working together to launch the Daisy Mason Wellness Fund. It will provide financial assistance to First Nations residents behind initiatives that help people in their community through well-being, healing and personal development training and activities.
March 27, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and test results
As of today, March 27, at 3 p.m. there are four cases of COVID-19 in Yukon. All four people are doing well at home.
Information about COVID-19 tests is published regularly on Yukon.ca. This includes how many confirmed cases there are in Yukon, how many tests have been negative, how many results are pending and the total number of tests.
Yukon declares state of emergency in response to COVID-19
The Government of Yukon is declaring a state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This does not indicate a significant change in circumstances or an increased risk to Yukoners but prepares the government to take rapid action if needed.
Declaring a state of emergency will make deploying resources to protect Yukoners and limit the spread of COVID-19 more efficient. This move is in line with many provinces and territories across Canada.
Special guide licence application period delayed
The Government of Yukon is delaying the application period for the special guide licence lottery until June. This decision is in response to concerns related to COVID-19 and travel restrictions across the country.
The feasibility of the special guide licence lottery will be reassessed in late May. The delay still provides the Department of Environment sufficient time to accept applications and run the lottery prior to hunting season opening in August.
Interim supports for arts and culture sectors announced
Please note the number in the second bullet of the quick facts has been updated.
To help address the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the arts and culture sectors, $275,000 will be available through three temporary funding initiatives.
The Advanced Artist Award is increased by $75,000. This one-time increase makes $150,000 available at the April 1, 2020 intake to support artists to enhance their artistic professional development. The increased funding will not affect the October intake, which will still have the standard $75,000 available.
Government announces $1 million increase to tourism cooperative marketing fund
To help address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Yukon’s tourism sector, the Government of Yukon has announced a one-time $1 million increase to its Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund (TCMF), bringing the total available funding to $1.7 million for the 2020–21 fiscal year.
The scope of eligible applicants and eligible activities has also been broadened so that more Yukon tourism experience and service providers can promote themselves locally, within Canada and internationally when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and travel resumes.
Potential COVID-19 exposure in Yukon
The Government of Yukon is notifying Yukoners of two possible sources of COVID-19 exposure in the territory. As a precaution, any individuals who attended these places on these days are to monitor themselves for the following symptoms for up to 14 days and call 811 if they develop them:
Government of Yukon is making sure Yukoners have home security during COVID-19
The Government of Yukon passed new regulations under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act today. These regulations prevent evictions over the next 90 days for residential tenants who are self-isolating or unable to pay their rent on time due to COVID-19.
The regulations will also allow tenants to pay their rent late if they are unable to pay it when it is due. This is to support individuals who have lost their jobs, are experiencing a reduction in income or because they are under a health protection measure.
Aviation fees waived
The Government of Yukon is waiving all airport landing, aircraft parking fees and loading fees in Yukon.
This change will save approximately $210, 000 for businesses and the tourism industry and incentivize carriers of all sizes to visit and stay in Yukon. These changes will help address the economic struggles brought on by COVID-19 and promote economic recovery for Yukon’s aviation businesses in the coming months.
New financial support for Yukon businesses and workers
The Government of Yukon today announced economic supports related to COVID-19.
A new rebate program for Yukon employers to benefit workers and self-employed individuals in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19 was announced by Minister Pillai today.
The Paid Sick Leave Program allows Yukon workers or those self-employed who are without sick leave to stay at home if they are sick and required to self-isolate for 14 days and still meet their basic financial needs. All eligible Yukon employers and self-employed individuals may apply.
Yukoners with Type 1 Diabetes receive continued support
Young Yukoners living with Type 1 Diabetes will continue to benefit from government support to manage their condition. As of April 1, the Government of Yukon will provide ongoing funding for continuous glucose monitoring to all Yukoners with Type 1 Diabetes from age 2 to 18.
Government of Yukon establishes a COVID-19 Business Advisory Council
The Government of Yukon has established a COVID-19 Business Advisory Council to ensure the needs of Yukon’s business community are heard as we address the economic impacts of COVID-19. This council includes stakeholders from a wide variety of sectors who will contribute their knowledge and experience representing diverse aspects of Yukon’s economy. Together they will inform the Department of Economic Development with local business intelligence, identify best practices and recommend mitigation strategies to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.
March 25, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
This news release has been updated to provide further clarification.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and test results
As of today, March 25, at 10 a.m. there are three cases of COVID-19 in Yukon.
New virtual care options for Yukoners
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association have worked closely together over the past few days to quickly set up new options for virtual care. All Yukoners now have the option to have their regular doctor’s appointment by phone or virtual health, using the doxy.me platform. This action is in response to COVID-19 and supports Yukoners while social distancing.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases
As of today, March 22, at 7 p.m. there are two cases of COVID-19 in Yukon.
COVID-19 test results
Yukon is now seeing a faster turnaround time on COVID-19 test results. By early this coming week, the number of completed tests on Yukon.ca will be updated three times a week.
Non-essential travel outside of territory and into rural Yukon
COVID-19 confirmed in Yukon
Dr. Brendan Hanley, Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), has confirmed the first two cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
The two cases were confirmed Sunday morning.
The two Whitehorse residents are from the same household. They returned from the United States last week and went into self-isolation. When symptoms presented, they contacted Yukon Communicable Disease for testing. They have mild illness and are continuing to self-isolate at home.
Information for Yukoners on Canada-US border restrictions
Canada and the United States are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across its borders to limit the spread of COVID-19. This is a precautionary measure, in line with the directions on social distancing that are being given by health officials across the country.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases
As of today, March 20, at 9:30 a.m. there are no cases of COVID-19 in Yukon.
COVID-19 test results
2020–2021 Budget passes and spring sitting of Yukon Legislative Assembly concludes
The spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly ended early in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency, with key budget and income tax Bills receiving assent.
The Honourable Angélique Bernard, Commissioner of Yukon, assented to the following bills:
Bill 203, the First Appropriations Act 2020–21, which is the main Government of Yukon budget for 2020-2021. It includes approximately $1.62 billion. Of that $369.7 million is designated as capital spending and $1.25 billion is designated for operations and maintenance.
New Yukon Tourism Advisory Board appointed
A new Yukon Tourism Advisory Board has been appointed to provide advice to the Minister of Tourism and Culture on strategic tourism issues affecting the industry as industry and government work to implement the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy.
The eight new board members bring a diversity of experience and a broad range of tourism sector expertise: Denny Kobayashi (Chair); Maxime Gouyou-Beauchamps; Denise McHale; June Hampton; Neil Hartling; Lisa Dewhurst; Teena Dickson; and Jackie Olson.
