Yukon News Releases
Government responds to Wolverine mine security report
The Government of Yukon has responded to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ review of the process by which the security amount for the Wolverine mine was determined. The security is a deposit companies pay in advance to cover the cleanup and closure costs of their mine, also known as reclamation and closure.
The Government of Yukon contracted PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out an independent review of how the government assessed and approved reclamation and closure plans, and set the financial security amount for the Wolverine mine since its temporary closure in October 2015.
Feedback sought on draft climate change, energy and green economy strategy
Yukoners are invited to provide feedback on a new draft strategy – Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
This fall, the Government of Yukon declared a climate change emergency. The strategy outlines how the territory proposes to take action to address the impacts of climate change while building a green economy and ensuring Yukoners have access to reliable, affordable and renewable energy. The draft strategy was developed in collaboration with Yukon First Nations, transboundary Indigenous groups and Yukon municipalities.
Find a Family Doctor online program launched
In partnership with the Yukon Medical Association, the Government of Yukon is pleased to launch Find a Family Doctor, an online program that matches Yukoners with physicians who are registered in the program and accepting new patients.
Whitehorse and surrounding area residents are a click away from being matched with a doctor. The online registration makes it easy for eligible individuals to find a family doctor for them and their family.
Survey finds Yukoners strongly support tourism
The results of the 2019 Yukon Resident Perceptions of Tourism Survey show that 94 per cent of Yukoners feel tourism is good for Yukon and 89 per cent feel tourism is good for their community. Measuring and monitoring resident perceptions of tourism was identified as one of the three goals in the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy.
Yukon opens Housing First residence
Yukon’s first ever Housing First residence has officially opened at the corner of Wood Street and Fifth Avenue in Whitehorse. Residents will begin moving in by the end of November.
Former Premier Dennis Fentie honoured at celebration of life
A celebration of life was held for former Premier Dennis Fentie today at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Mr. Fentie passed away on August 29, 2019.
Mr. Fentie was first elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly as the MLA for Watson Lake in 1996 as a member of the Yukon New Democratic Party. In 2002, Mr. Fentie joined and became the leader of the Yukon Party, and was elected as Yukon’s seventh Premier, a position he held until 2011.
Feedback sought on proposed amendments to Wills Act
The Government of Yukon is inviting input on proposed amendments to the Wills Act. An online survey regarding the modernization of this Act is available on EngageYukon until December 23, 2019.
The following amendments to the Act are being considered:
Non-beverage glass will no longer be accepted for recycling
Joint news release with Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse, Raven Recycling, P&M Recycling and Whitehorse Blue Bin Recycling
Recycling depots across Yukon will no longer accept non-beverage glass starting November 30, 2019. Glass jars, bottles, containers and other non-refundable glass like pickle jars will no longer be accepted at recycling facilities in Whitehorse or at rural depots. Refundable glass beverage containers like beer, juice and liquor bottles will still be accepted.
Changes to the third Housing Initiatives Fund intake
The third intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund launched on November 1, 2019 to support the construction of affordable housing for Yukoners across the territory.
This call for projects includes three streams: one for shovel ready projects in Whitehorse, one for shovel ready projects in communities and one for project concepts. First Nations governments, First Nations Development Corporations, developers, contractors, community organizations and the general public can apply for funding to support projects that will increase affordable housing options in their community.
Sarah Ouellette is Yukon’s 2019 Farmer of the Year
The Government of Yukon has recognized Sarah Ouellette, operator of Sarah’s Harvest, as Yukon’s 2019 Farmer of the Year.
Ms. Ouellette’s small-scale certified organic farm near Lake Laberge produces high-quality vegetables for sale at various locations around Whitehorse. Ms. Ouellette was recognized for her professional, highly skilled operation that not only produces high-quality food, but is also a place that contributes to Yukoners’ knowledge and appreciation of agriculture.
Government launches new driver licensing and registration system
The Government of Yukon is launching a new integrated system that will streamline vehicle and licence-related transactions and better protect Yukoners’ personal information.
YuDriv is a client-centred platform that includes a new driver licensing and registration system. Once fully implemented, this system will improve service delivery and lay the groundwork for additional online services for Yukoners.
Four Yukon-based organizations receive funding to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls
Four Yukon-based organizations will receive $50,000 each over the next two years to help prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls in Yukon. The funding comes from the Prevention of Violence against Aboriginal Women fund.
Funding for the projects is administered through the Government of Yukon Women’s Directorate, which supports women’s and equality-seeking organizations.
Yukoners encouraged to try out for Team Yukon
Beginning this weekend, interested participants from across the territory will have the opportunity to try out for Team Yukon for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games. For the upcoming Games, participants can try out for 21 different sports and Team Yukon’s cultural contingent. The first sports trials begin this weekend, November 1 to 3, for futsal, basketball and volleyball.
Fossils suggest ancient rhinos and turtles once roamed Yukon
According to a study published today by the journal American Museum Novitates, fossils found near Whitehorse in the 1970s indicate rhinoceroses and turtles inhabited Yukon approximately eight million years ago.
2018–19 Public Accounts show $5.8 million deficit
Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver tabled the 2018–19 Public Accounts today in the Legislative Assembly. As anticipated, the non-consolidated public accounts had a small deficit.
The non-consolidated annual deficit for 2018–19 was $5.8 million. On a consolidated basis, including all entities within the Government of Yukon’s control, the annual surplus for 2018–19 was $2.3 million.
Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee report tabled
Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost tabled the report of the Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee today in the Legislative Assembly.
The report, Embracing the Children of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, contains 149 recommendations and is the culmination of 18 months of public engagement throughout the territory by the six-member independent advisory committee.
Yukoners to receive first carbon rebate in October
Yukoners will start receiving their carbon price rebates on October 31, 2019.
Yukoners are automatically eligible for a rebate if they filed a 2018 Yukon income tax return, and will receive $43 each. The Canada Revenue Agency will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque.
Families receive their rebate as a combined payment per household. For married and common-law partners, a combined rebate will be paid to the person who filed their 2018 tax return first. Yukoners with dependent children will receive a payment that includes a rebate for each child.
Changes at Whitehorse Emergency Shelter to ensure better service
The Government of Yukon together with its community and government partners are making changes to programming and operations at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter with the support of its Safe at Home working group partners.
A number of significant changes have been implemented at the shelter and several more are in development. These changes will provide better support to facility guests while addressing some of the concerns from the downtown Whitehorse community.
New Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge opens
After two years of construction, the Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge replacement is now complete. Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn and Carcross/Tagish First Nations’ Deputy Chief Maria Benoit officially opened the bridge today alongside the project teams from the the Carcross/Tagish Development Corporation and Ruskin Construction Ltd and the Government of Yukon today.
Grizzly bear conservation plan released
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board have released the conservation plan for grizzly bears in Yukon. The plan will help guide decisions related to grizzlies in the territory by ensuring they remain healthy in their habitat and that their population is sustainable.
Goals of the plan include minimizing human-grizzly conflicts and taking care of the land and other species that grizzly bears rely on.
The plan was finalized following government-to-government consultation with First Nations, Inuvialuit and transboundary Indigenous groups.
