Yukon News Releases
New acquisitions to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection unveiled in Carcross
Five new works selected for inclusion in Yukon’s Permanent Art Collection have been unveiled in a public exhibition at the Carcross Learning Centre.
Government of Yukon holds workshop on landfill liability
Landfill operators from across Yukon were in Whitehorse yesterday for a landfill liability workshop.
Landfills are expensive to operate and monitor. They are also very costly to close after they are filled with waste. Landfill liability is the cost associated with closing a landfill and carrying out the environmental monitoring required at the end of its life.
Workshop participants discussed managing landfill risks, regulatory requirements for landfill closure, elements of landfill closure and a new accounting standard for landfill liability.
Yukon ranked one of Canada’s top mineral exploration jurisdictions
Yukon ranks fourth in Canada for projected spending on mineral exploration and deposit evaluation for 2018, according to statistics distributed by Natural Resources Canada on November 9. The projected spending for mineral exploration and deposit evaluations is $249.4 million, made up of $142.6 million for exploration, up 32.9 per cent from 2017, and $106.8 million for deposit evaluations, up 73.9 per cent from 2017. Yukon’s share of national exploration investment has nearly doubled since 2016 and now accounts for over 10 per cent of all Canadian exploration spending.
First call for Housing Initiatives Fund projects a success
The Government of Yukon received 20 proposals during its first call for projects under the Housing Initiatives Fund.
Seven projects currently have signed transfer agreements in place and three others have received commitments for funding from the $3.6 million fund. Over the next 18 months, these projects will bring over 100 homes to Yukoners that will remain as affordable housing for 20 years.
Yukon entrepreneurs profiled in new video series
Yukon entrepreneurs are showcased in a new series of documentary-style videos commissioned by the Government of Yukon. The series profiles eight Yukon businesses on their journey through entrepreneurship. The videos highlight the territory’s growing entrepreneurial workforce as well as the opportunities and advantages available to those looking to start a business in Yukon.
The videos will premiere at an event in Whitehorse on November 14 at the North of Ordinary Experience Centre from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Government of Yukon releases action plan to tackle opioid crisis
The Government of Yukon today released its Opioid Action Plan to help tackle the growing number of drug-related overdoses and deaths in the territory.
The plan contains both short- and long-term activities to be implemented over the next two years and has four pillars: harm reduction, public awareness, surveillance, and improved addictions and pain management.
Yukon hosts Pacific Northwest Economic Region Leadership Summit
State and provincial legislators, policy makers and business leaders from the Pacific Northwest will convene at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) 2018 Economic Leadership Summit in Whitehorse from November 13 to 15.
The Economic Leadership Forum will feature in-depth sessions focused on priority issues impacting the regional economy. The summit agenda has a strong northern focus, exploring topics such as energy solutions in the North, First Nations economic development and Aboriginal tourism and First Nations leadership and governance.
New electric vehicle charging station added to growing network
The Government of Yukon has installed its latest public electric vehicle charging station at the Yukon Transportation Museum. This is the government’s second publicly accessible charging station – the first was installed earlier this year at the Main Administration Building.
Both charging stations are available to the public for a maximum of four hours per use. The two stations in Whitehorse contribute to the growing network of charging stations in the territory. Yukon’s first public charging station opened at the Mount Lorne recycling depot in early 2018.
Independent, expert panel created for Health and Social Services review
Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost has announced the members of an independent, expert panel to provide strategic advice and expertise as part of the Health and Social Services Comprehensive Review.
Scott and Jackie Dickson are Yukon’s 2018 Farmers of the Year
Scott and Jackie Dickson have been nominated Yukon’s Farmers of the Year for 2018 by their fellow Yukon agricultural producers. Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai presented the award to the Takhini River Road residents at the local food banquet held Saturday evening as part of the Yukon’s 31st annual North of 60 Agriculture Conference.
Respite care home opens in Whitehorse
The Government of Yukon has partnered with the Yukon Association for Community Living (YACL) to open a trial two-bedroom respite care home in Whitehorse.
Respite homes provide short-term care for people with a wide range of developmental or physical disabilities, giving their caregivers temporary relief from the emotional and physical demands of providing care. It will be operated and staffed on an on-demand basis.
New deputy ministers for Environment and Justice
New deputy ministers have been appointed in the departments of Justice and Environment.
John Bailey will be the deputy minister of the Department of Environment, effective December 13. Assistant deputy minister Ed Van Randen has been acting as deputy minister since July 2018.
John Phelps will be deputy minister for the Department of Justice effective January 1, 2019. Assistant deputy minister Lesley McCullough has been acting as deputy minister since December 2016.
2017–18 Public Accounts reveal $18.7 million surplus
As anticipated during the Spring 2017 Budget speech, the Government of Yukon’s non-consolidated public accounts for 2017–18 show a surplus.
The non-consolidated annual surplus for the year was $18.7 million in comparison to the budgeted surplus of $6.5 million. The change in the surplus resulted primarily from higher-than-estimated revenues of $1.1 million, and lower-than-anticipated expenses of $10.2 million – a variance of less than one per cent.
Government of Yukon decreases barriers for accessing medical abortion medication
Through a partnership with the Yukon Hospital Corporation, the Government of Yukon is now offering universal coverage of Mifegymiso, the medication used for medical abortions. This partnership ensures that Yukoners have low-barrier options and more equal access to abortion services.
Mifegymiso is often preferable to surgical abortions, but the high retail cost makes it inaccessible for many patients. Yukon is joining other Canadian jurisdictions in covering the cost of the medication, providing a safe and accessible alternative to surgical abortion.
Protecting our wild sheep from disease
The Government of Yukon is putting rules in place to keep all domestic sheep and goats separate from wild sheep and goats to reduce the risk of transmitting respiratory disease to wildlife.
The Control Order, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2020, includes conditions for the keeping of domestic sheep and goats, such as approved enclosures, permanent identification, record keeping, annual testing for diseases, permits for movement, and measures for dealing with escaped animals.
Equality of Spouses Act receives assent
The Yukon Legislative Assembly has passed the Equality of Spouses Statute Law Amendment Act 2018. The new Act amends multiple pieces of Yukon legislation with language that is inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) Yukoners and repeals the Married Women’s Property Act.
Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport getting new passenger bridge
One of the passenger bridges at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is being replaced this fall. The new bridge is powered by a ground power unit and is more energy efficient than the current bridge, which was built in 1984 and is past its useful life.
Seeking input for climate change, energy and green economy strategy
The Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, transboundary Indigenous groups and local municipalities are collaborating to engage the public on the development of a new approach to climate change, energy and green economy.
The groups want to find out what is important to Yukoners when it comes to meeting energy needs and sustaining a strong, green economy while also addressing climate change.
Rent supplement program funding increased
Yukon Housing Corporation’s rent supplement program is being increased by $200,000, with $100,000 dedicated to rent subsidies for Yukoners experiencing homelessness. The $1.4 million rent supplement program currently helps over 100 Yukon families to pay rent by providing a rent subsidy to individuals and families eligible for social housing who live in private market rental housing.
Yukon and Alaska governments collaborate on funding request for Shakwak Project
Joint news release with the State of Alaska
The governments of Yukon and Alaska are working together to secure funding to improve the Shakwak Project – the section of highway from Haines, Alaska, to Beaver Creek, Yukon. The State of Alaska and the Government of Yukon collaborated on a $25 million (USD) submission to the new United States Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) fund.
