Yukon News Releases
Acting deputy minister named for Department of Finance
Premier Sandy Silver announced today that Christine Mahar will be acting deputy minister for the Department of Finance. Mahar’s appointment is effective March 15.
Mahar will lead the department during a period of transition following the departure of previous deputy minister, Kate White.
Premier’s statement on the passing of Ken McKinnon
Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement:
Government of Yukon introduces Bill to amend Securities Act
Today Community Services Minister John Streicker introduced Bill 32, Amendments to the Securities Act, to ensure Yukon’s securities investment community continues benefiting from the same strong regulations and protections that exist everywhere else in Canada.
The amendments provide the investment community with stronger regulation and pause limitation periods for civil actions regarding alleged misrepresentations until related court processes are completed.
The amendments also:
Governments of Canada and Yukon sign 10-year housing agreement
Families, individuals, and vulnerable Canadians in need of an affordable home can count on long-term funding for community housing in Yukon thanks to an agreement signed today by the federal and territorial governments.
Government of Yukon issues response on development in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Government of Yukon has submitted its response to the US Bureau of Land Management’s draft environmental impact statement on development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Bill to amend the Education Labour Relations Act tabled
Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has tabled Bill No. 30, an Act to Amend the Education Labour Relations Act.
Amendments to the Act will enable substitute personnel to become members of the Yukon Teachers’ Association. The amendments include revising or removing sections regarding probation, temporary employment and layoffs so these matters can be addressed through the new collective agreement with the Yukon Teachers’ Association.
Carbon Price Rebate will return revenues to Yukoners
The Yukon Government Carbon Price Rebate Implementation Act was tabled in the legislature today providing the framework for returning all federal carbon pricing revenues to Yukoners, businesses, First Nations governments and municipal governments.
Dawson City Airport runway closure dates announced
The Dawson City Airport runway will be closed for paving from 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2019, until midnight on Sunday, May 26, 2019. These dates and times are tentative and will be dependent on weather. During the closure no airplanes will be arriving or departing but helicopters will continue operating from the Dawson City Airport.
Travellers are urged to contact airlines directly for further information and flight availability.
Government of Yukon funds tourism strategy
The Government of Yukon is providing $875,000 in funding to implement the new tourism development strategy, Sustainable Tourism. Our Path. Our Future.
Funding will address priority actions identified in the new strategy, including:
New administrator for Cultural Industries Training Fund
The Cultural Industries Training Fund (CITF) is now being administered by the Department of Tourism and Culture.
The CITF provides support for professional training and skill development with the goal of increasing business and employment opportunities for cultural workers, businesses and entrepreneurs in Yukon. The fund supports the business and economic side of the cultural industries, including film, video and digital media; music and sound recording; visual arts and crafts; performing arts; writing and publishing; and the cultural labour force.
2019-20 Budget meets housing, health and education needs of a growing territory
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver has tabled the Government of Yukon’s 2019–20 Budget.
The Budget focuses on affordable housing, effective health and social services, quality education, and reliable community infrastructure. This includes $19 million to develop building lots in Whitehorse and rural communities in each of the next five years.
Work will continue on the Health and Social Services Comprehensive Review to find efficiencies to better deliver services to Yukoners.
Fiscal and Economic Outlook points to strong economy, historically low unemployment and economic growth
Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver today tabled a new forecast for Yukon’s finances and economy as part of the 2019–20 Budget.
The fiscal picture shows a plan that remains on track from last year’s budget. The government is still forecasting a return to a surplus in 2020–21 while also ensuring that it adequately addresses the needs of current and future Yukoners.
Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission formed
The Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have formed the new Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission. The Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in governments each nominated three people to the six-person Commission in accordance with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement.
The new Commission will develop a plan for future land use in the region with assistance from the Yukon Land Use Planning Council. The Commission’s work will be guided by the Terms of Reference agreed to by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon governments.
Government of Yukon increases the minimum wage to $12.71 per hour
Minister of Community Services John Streicker announced today that the Government of Yukon has approved the Employment Standards Board’s order to increase Yukon’s minimum wage on April 1 to $12.71 per hour.
The minimum wage in Yukon is rising from $11.51 to $12.71. This is an increase of $0.90, plus the 2018 Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At the request of Minister Streicker, the Employment Standards Board conducted a review of the minimum wage in 2018 and submitted its report and recommendation on November 30, 2018.
Increased fines and demerits target unsafe driving
The Government of Yukon is taking action to address illegal and dangerous driving behaviour around school buses by increasing fines and demerits under the Summary Convictions Regulation and Motor Vehicles Regulations.
Fines for drivers who fail to stop for a school bus that is receiving or discharging passengers have increased to $500 from $200. Fines for drivers who pass a bus illegally will also face a fine of $500, increased from $200. Demerit points for both offences have increased from five to eight points.
Yukoners benefit from Gas Tax Fund projects
Today in Whitehorse Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable John Streicker, Minister of Community Services, Government of Yukon announced a total of $2.79 million in funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund for 11 newly approved and nine completed projects.
City of Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis, Village of Teslin Mayor Gord Curran and Village of Carmacks Mayor Lee Bodie joined them for the announcement.
Finance deputy minister departing government
Premier Sandy Silver announced today that Katherine White, deputy minister for the Department of Finance, has decided to leave the Government of Yukon for personal reasons. She has indicated that her last day with the Government of Yukon will be April 26.
This timeframe for White’s departure will allow for a smoother transition to new leadership for the department.
Midwifery engagement What We Heard report released today
The Government of Yukon has released a report on the results of the midwifery public engagement. The What We Heard document reflects the views expressed by participating Yukoners during the engagement period in the fall of 2018.
The purpose of this public engagement was to gain a better understanding of Yukoners’ perspectives as the territory moves towards regulating, funding and integrating midwifery into the healthcare system. Between September 20 and December 14, 2018 more than 600 Yukoners participated in the online survey and in-person focus groups.
Improvements made for 2019 permit hunt authorization lottery
The Government of Yukon is implementing a series of changes to improve and modernize the permit hunt authorization lottery.
The changes follow a technical review of lottery data, processes and policies conducted by Make IT, which confirmed earlier findings regarding challenges with duplicate files and data merging that have now been addressed. The changes were also informed by broader public engagement on the rules, regulations and processes used for the lottery.
New food service opportunity coming to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
The Government of Yukon is modernizing the restaurant area within Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport and will be putting out a tender for food services this spring. The existing Shanthi’s Airport Restaurant is closing on February 27 after serving travellers for close to a decade.
Renovations to enhance the facilities and maximize space will start in March and continue throughout the summer. The goal is to have new food services in place by the fall.
