Yukon News Releases
Yukon improving access to psychiatric specialist services
The Government of Yukon has increased resident psychiatric support in Yukon to improve access to care for patients. There are now three resident psychiatrists working in the territory, based out of a new private practice in Whitehorse.
A new model of care has also been introduced. General psychiatric services are being provided at the private clinic and at Whitehorse General Hospital. Treatment services are offered through Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services and the Referred Care Clinic. This model takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to mental healthcare.
Fortymile caribou herd hunting opportunity opening
Following a recommendation received from the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board, the Government of Yukon is opening a licensed harvest on Fortymile caribou herd from January 1 to March 31, 2020.
Yukon-wide class 1 notification proposed for 2020
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon
The Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations with Final Agreements have approved a recommendation from the Mining Memorandum of Understanding table to require notification of Class 1 mineral exploration activities across Yukon as of April 1, 2020.
Family mediation pilot project granted extension
The Yukon Family Mediation Service, funded by the Government of Canada’s Canadian Family Justice Fund, has been granted a two-year extension.
The free service is an alternative to court that helps parents resolve child-related matters when separating or divorcing. The Yukon Family Mediation Service works closely with the nearby Family Law Information Centre to support parents who are willing to work together to make decisions about parenting arrangements and the ongoing needs of children after separation or divorce.
New Burn Better campaign for healthy communities
The Government of Yukon, in collaboration with the City of Whitehorse and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, is launching the Burn Better campaign to promote clean air in Yukon’s communities and neighbourhoods.
The smoke from wood stoves can affect your home and the health of people around you, particularly children, seniors and people with lung conditions, heart disease or other chronic conditions. By applying five simple burning tips, you can help ensure we have clean air in Yukon homes and communities.
The five tips are:
10 projects receive Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funds
Ten community-led projects focused on crime prevention and services for victims are receiving more than $227,000 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust.
The fall 2019 funding intake received applications from a broad range of organizations. Funded projects will be delivered in several Yukon communities as well as in Whitehorse, with a total of $227,829.67 allocated.
Lottery for new lots in Whistle Bend
The Government of Yukon is accepting lottery applications for 55 single-family residential lots in the Whistle Bend subdivision. Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on January 23, 2020. The draw will take place in Room 1A, 300 Main Street in the Elijah Smith Building at 10:00 a.m. on January 27, 2020.
Releasing these lots now will allow the new owners to plan and work with the City of Whitehorse on development applications over the winter to advance work on their lots for the 2020 building season.
$51,000 awarded to support marginalized youth
Yukon youth will benefit from more than $51,000 awarded to 15 community groups through the Government of Yukon’s Youth Investment Fund. The funding will support a variety of arts, recreation and educational programming, including horseback riding, cycling and a teen mentoring program.
The Youth Investment Fund provides financial support to short-term projects aimed at marginalized youth under 19 years old with fewer opportunities and those who may experience discrimination.
Ultrasound services coming to Yukon’s community hospitals
Beginning January 2020, the Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospitals will introduce general, non-urgent ultrasound services at Dawson City and Watson Lake community hospitals.
Ultrasounds will be provided by a sonographer visiting each of the community hospitals with portable equipment for approximately one week every two months. The goal of offering general ultrasounds in community hospitals is to improve access to care for Yukoners across the territory.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations meet for final Yukon Forum of 2019
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members, Council of Yukon First Nations' Grand Chief and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met today at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse for the fourth Yukon Forum of 2019.
Leaders discussed traditional knowledge and received an update from the Yukon Advisory Committee regarding developing a Yukon strategy in response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Aboriginal employee award celebrates 10 years of recognizing outstanding public service
On Thursday, Premier Sandy Silver recognized the outstanding public service of two Aboriginal employees. At the annual Aboriginal Employees’ Forum gathering, Daniel Adamson and Trish Hirsch were presented with the Aboriginal Employees Award of Honour.
The Aboriginal Employees Award of Honour was created in 2009 to recognize the accomplishments of Government of Yukon Aboriginal public servants who provide excellent service or contributions to the government, fellow employees or to the Yukon public.
Government to extend expiry date for Peel region withdrawals
The Government of Yukon is extending the moratorium on mineral staking in the Peel watershed until April 1, 2020. This will give governments time to formalize the higher standards described in the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan and give the mining industry time to adapt to them. Originally, the moratorium was set to be lifted in the Integrated Management Areas on January 1, 2020.
Whitehorse biomass heating system to expand
The Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada have partnered to expand Whitehorse Correctional Centre’s existing biomass heating system to include two additional public buildings, the Young Offenders Facility and Takhini Haven.
New underground piping will connect the two buildings to create a district heating network. Biomass heating helps to offset greenhouse gas emissions and is a sustainable alternative to diesel and propane.
Honouring Connections fosters progressive approach to supporting First Nation children in care
Yukon First Nations governments, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon’s Family and Children’s Services are pleased to announce their commitment to a new initiative called Honouring Connections.
Honouring Connections is a collaborative process developed to address the systemic over-representation of First Nations children in the child-welfare system. This process is an important aspect of reconciliation. Children and youth currently in continuing care of the Director will be reconnected to family, community and culture.
Coroner and Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health issue warning after fentanyl-related deaths
Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones and Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi, are cautioning Yukon residents around drug use after three recent deaths that have been linked to opioids.
Between November 9 and November 30, three individuals died from drugs contaminated with fentanyl. The Chief Medical Officer of Health office has also received information around a recent increase in opioid overdoses that have not resulted in death.
Gas Tax Fund to support local infrastructure priorities in the Town of Watson Lake
Five projects are underway in the Town of Watson Lake following the allotment of more than $1.65 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund.
With this funding, the Town of Watson Lake is buying new heavy equipment for road maintenance, installing a new groundwater monitoring well at the sewage lagoon and remediating the Brownfield area downtown.
New live-in and outreach program to support youth at Nts’ äw Chua
A new innovative program created to support youth and provide an alternative to traditional group care is launching in Whitehorse. A wide range of services with a youth-led, culturally relevant approach will be offered at 22 Wann Road, now named Nts’ äw Chua (in-so chua).
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations present shared priorities to Government of Canada
This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations.
Yukon Days meetings have concluded between the Government of Yukon, the Council of Yukon First Nations, several Yukon First Nations Chiefs and federal Ministers in Ottawa.
Watson Lake Air Terminal Building designated a Yukon Historic Site
Yukon has formally added another Yukon Historic Site to its registry with the addition of the Watson Lake Air Terminal Building. Minister Jeanie Dendys has designated the site under the Historic Resources Act.
The terminal was a key part of the Northwest Staging Route during World War II and provides an important and tangible link to Yukon’s fascinating aviation history. It was constructed in 1942 and has been in continuous use since that time. It is one of only two remaining Yukon air terminal buildings from the Northwest Staging Route and is the only one still in use.
Bursary support for 12 Yukoners entering health care fields
Three separate bursaries from the Government of Yukon are helping to support 12 Yukon students in their health-related post-secondary education.
The Yukon Medical Education Bursary is made available to four new students each year and provides students with $5,000 per year for up to four years of medical school. This year’s recipients are Holly Bull, Lauren Klammer, Sarah Koltun and Lindsay Webber.
