Yukon News Releases
Homeowners, businesses and communities to save money with energy efficiency upgrades
The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon are jointly investing a total of $41.3 million to support energy efficiency retrofits for residential, commercial and institutional buildings throughout Yukon over the next three years.
These energy efficiency programs will help First Nations governments, municipalities, businesses, local industries and homeowners reduce energy waste and make buildings more efficient, comfortable and affordable to operate.
Nineteen projects receive Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funds
Nineteen community-led projects focused on crime prevention and services for victims are receiving $514,159.40 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust. Projects include supporting youth mental and sexual health; exploring issues related to intolerance and hate crimes; celebrating Pride, families and community; and supporting healthy activities for children, families and youth.
Watson Lake receives funding for regional economic development project
The Town of Watson Lake has been awarded $49,700 for a regional economic development project through the Government of Yukon’s Regional Economic Development Fund. This funding will support the implementation of prioritized community and economic development initiatives focused on governance, land development, procurement, tourism and encouraging local economic activity.
The project is made up of the following four initiatives to be undertaken from June 2019 to March 2020.
Engagement underway to improve economic development funding programs
The Government of Yukon is looking for feedback on potential improvements to three Economic Development funding programs: the Regional Economic Development Fund, Strategic Industries Development Fund and Enterprise Trade Fund.
The Regional Economic Development Fund’s objective is to support economic planning, opportunity identification and capacity development at the regional and community level in Yukon.
Tän Tágà Shro trail at Wolf Creek campground open for use
A new wheelchair accessible interpretive trail opened today at the Wolf Creek campground. Minister of Environment Pauline Frost, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Chief Kristina Kane, Kwanlin Dün First Nation Councillor Jessie Dawson as well as Elders and project partners were on hand for the official opening.
Tän Tágà Shro, or “trail (to the) big river,” was developed collaboratively by the Government of Yukon, Kwänlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and the City of Whitehorse. It is the territory’s second wheelchair accessible trail.
Eight community projects receive more than $925,500 from Community Development Fund
Eight community projects in five Yukon communities have been awarded $925,542 in Tier 3 funding from the Community Development Fund.
The projects include a new playground in the Town of Faro, upgrades to cross-country ski trails in Whitehorse, a new air system for a restaurant in Mayo, ice maintenance equipment for the arena in Pelly Crossing, and funding for hosting a 10-day national conference for live performance technicians, producers and managers in Yukon.
Yukon’s response to national Shared Health Priorities
The Canadian Institute of Health Information released the results on their first three Shared Health Priorities this week. The priorities were selected by the federal, provincial and territorial governments along with the Canadian public as a way to measure and improve access to mental health and addictions services, and to home and community care.
The first three indicators are:
Statement from Minister Dendys on the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
This is a difficult and emotional time for Yukon families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and survivors. I thank and commend them for sharing their personal experiences of this tragedy and educating all Canadians about its ongoing impacts. The strength and determination they have demonstrated, and their patience throughout this monumental task, will never be forgotten.
Statement from Premier Silver on the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The submission of the Final Report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to the Government of Canada marks an historic moment for our country. The loss of so many Indigenous women and girls is not just a women’s issue or an Indigenous issue, but a national issue that must be addressed by all levels of government through a cross-jurisdictional lens. All Canadians are affected by the tragic events documented through this Inquiry, and all Canadians have a stake in ending violence against Indigenous women and girls and LGBTQ2S+ individuals.
Yukon Advisory Committee welcomes release of final report of National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Today marked the formal release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The release and closing ceremony took place in Gatineau, Quebec, with representatives from Yukon Indigenous women’s groups and family members of Yukon MMIWG in attendance.
The Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, Yukon Indigenous women’s groups and family representatives worked collaboratively as members of the Yukon Advisory Committee while the commissioners of the National Inquiry carried out their work.
New affordable housing units open in Dawson City
A new eight-unit affordable housing building officially opened at 1075 Third Avenue in Dawson City today. Tenants will be able to move in starting June 1, 2019.
The governments of Canada and Yukon provided $900,000 to the Klondike Development Organization through Yukon Housing Corporation programs to complete the project, which is the second affordable rental building completed in two years.
The two-storey design is similar to the previous affordable housing building with six 44-square-metre one-bedroom units, and two 55-square-metre two-bedroom units.
Interim Electrical Rebate renewed
The Government of Yukon is renewing the Interim Electrical Rebate for 2019–20 and has adjusted the amount paid by one-third of a cent per kilowatt hour to address rising program costs. The adjustment begins June 1, 2019, and customers will see the change in their bills later that month. The rebate is applied to electric bills for residential customers and reduces the overall amount Yukoners pay each month for electricity in their homes.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations governments meet in Carmacks for Yukon Forum
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members, Council of Yukon First Nation’s Grand Chief and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met today at the Village of Carmacks Recreation Hall for the second Yukon Forum of 2019.
Leaders discussed climate change and the development of a more robust intergovernmental collaboration in this area. This conversation included discussions regarding carbon pricing and wildland fire management.
Heritage management agreement signed at Yukon Forum
A Memorandum of Understanding establishing a formal process for collaboration on heritage management between the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations was signed at an official ceremony during the May 30, 2019, Yukon Forum in Carmacks, Yukon.
Nominate an exceptional Yukoner for the Order of Yukon
Order of Yukon information and nomination forms, in French and English, are now available online from the Commissioner of Yukon. Paper copies are also available at 412 Main Street in Whitehorse. Contact 867-667-5121 or email commissioner@gov.yk.ca for more information.
Housing program for government employees in Yukon communities modernized
The Government of Yukon is implementing changes to modernize the approach to housing for Yukon government employees in communities. These changes are designed to better support local economies and the delivery of programs and services in rural communities.
The revised employee housing policy includes changes to rental rates and lease options, with a focus on promoting a fair and equitable housing system that supports all Yukoners living in communities.
Three new inductees recognized by the Yukon Transportation Hall of Fame
The 2019 Pioneer of the Year, Person of the Year and Order of Polaris awards were presented to inductees and their families at the annual Yukon Transportation Hall of Fame awards ceremony yesterday evening.
The Order of Polaris recipient is the late Albert Michael Warner whose career in the aviation industry spanned nearly 50 years. Warner began his career repairing the fabric, wood and steel tube structure of a damaged Waco aircraft that went through the ice near Carcross.
Dawson City Airport paving complete
The Dawson City Airport officially re-opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, after the paving of the runway was completed. Approximately 50 people were involved with the project and more than 45,000 square metres of runway was paved.
Yukon adopts national standards to improve public safety
All Yukon homes with gas-burning devices now require carbon monoxide and smoke detectors after new safety regulations were passed under the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Act and the Gas Burning Devices Act.
Newly installed devices must conform to the latest safety codes and standards under the new regulations. Devices currently in service are not affected provided they pass inspections. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors must also be installed in a home when work is done on gas-burning devices.
Yukon’s Flight Path aviation strategy takes off
Stantec Consulting Ltd. has been chosen to guide the Yukon’s Flight Path Aviation Strategy.
The $187,465 contract will draft a vision of Yukon aviation for the next 10 years and identify where investment is needed. The first-of-its-kind strategy will build on years of technical data, research and stakeholder feedback to show where Yukon aviation is now and where it can go in the future.
