Yukon News Releases
Partners break ground for innovative tiny house project
Joint news release with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and the Government of Canada
A community ground-breaking event in Dakwäkäda (Haines Junction) today kicked off an exciting tiny house project, a partnership between the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN), the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.
Government of Yukon tables Technical Amendments Act (No. 2), 2018
The Technical Amendments Act (No.2), 2018 proposes to fix practical and policy issues with legislation that were unforeseen when the original legislation was drafted. Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled the Bill, which includes amendments to the Human Rights Act and the Territorial Court Act.
The amendment to the Human Rights Act allows a member of the Human Rights Panel of Adjudicators – whose term is set to expire – to remain a member of the panel and continue to hear a matter until a decision has been delivered.
Government of Yukon plans the future of the Dawson City ice bridge
The Government of Yukon and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have released a report which looks at some of the possible reasons why the Yukon River in Dawson City has not frozen for the past two winters.
Lobbyists Registration and Electoral District Boundaries Bills tabled
A publicly-disclosed lobbyist registry is being proposed by the Government of Yukon. Premier Sandy Silver tabled the proposed Lobbyists Registration Act in the Legislative Assembly today.
Lobbying is the process through which individuals and groups communicate with public office holders in an attempt to influence public policy and decision making. The proposed Bill will make registration mandatory, ensuring that lobbyists are accountable for disclosing their activities.
Yukoners asked to share their priorities for electoral reform
The Government of Yukon wants to understand the public’s priorities for electoral reform. These priorities will inform the mandate of an independent commission on electoral reform, which will begin work in the spring of 2019. The commission will be asked to deliver its final report and recommendations for fall 2019.
New ATIPP legislation tabled in the Legislative Assembly
The Government of Yukon proposes to increase access to government data, improve transparency and clarify privacy rules through a new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP).
The proposed Act will increase transparency around government decision-making and make large amounts of government data available to the public. It will also clarify roles and responsibilities for how personal information should be received, handled and destroyed by the government while being responsive to changes in technology.
Advisory committee for Yukon education resumes work
On September 20, 2018, the Advisory committee for Yukon education met to resume its work providing input and advice on supporting students and improving the public education system in Yukon.
At this meeting, government staff reported progress to the committee on various initiatives, including the implementation of Yukon’s redesigned school curriculum. They presented on how classroom assessment practices, teacher evaluations, school growth plans, technology and learning spaces are changing to meet the needs of Yukon students and school communities.
Equality of Spouses Act tabled
Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate Jeanie Dendys tabled Bill No. 21 today, the Equality of Spouses Act. The Bill continues the Government of Yukon’s ongoing work to make Yukon laws non-discriminatory and inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) Yukoners.
Modernized Coroners Act tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 27 today, the first significant revision of the territory’s Coroners Act in 60 years.
The proposed legislation clarifies the duties of coroners, reflects best practices and procedures for the Coroner’s Service and was developed following engagement with Yukoners, the Chief Coroner, community coroners, the RCMP and other interested parties.
Airport emergency exercise successful
The airport fire department, along with emergency partners and stakeholders, held a multi-agency emergency exercise at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport today.
The exercise involved rescue personnel responding to a simulated aircraft crash. The two-hour simulation involved officials from the Whitehorse Fire Department, RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Emergency Medical Services and the departments of Community Services and Justice.
Partnership agreement to benefit relationship with local governments
Joint news release with the Association of Yukon Communities
Minister of Community Services John Streicker and Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) president Tara Wheeler signed a partnership agreement on September 29, 2018. The agreement sets the foundation for how the territorial government and AYC will work together over the next three years, based on principles of fairness, cooperation and collaboration.
Supplementary Estimates highlight benefits of improved government forecasting
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the 2018–19 First Supplementary Estimates in the Legislative Assembly today. The Supplementary Estimates include $13.4 million in additional spending over the 2018–19 Main Estimates – an increase of less than one per cent.
The historically low variance from the Main Estimates is a result of improvements around integrating key branches of economic and fiscal forecasting in the Department of Finance.
Notable items included in the Supplementary Estimates are:
Modernized Societies legislation tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Minister of Community Services John Streicker tabled Bill No. 20 today, a new, modernized Societies Act that will better serve the needs of today’s societies by clarifying the processes for their creation, governance and operation.
The current Societies Act was created over 30 years ago and new proposed legislation reflects engagement with Yukoners over key changes to policy elements.
Amendments to Territorial Lands and Forest Resources Acts tabled
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai tabled draft amendments to the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act and Forest Resources Act today in the Legislative Assembly.
The proposed changes are intended to deter violations of Yukon’s land protection acts during resource development and other activities, and would allow Yukon to apply higher fines in some cases when the Acts are violated.
Quartz Mining Act amendments deferred
The Government of Yukon is deferring the tabling of a proposed amendment to the Quartz Mining Act based on input received during the public engagement held in the summer of 2018.
A summary of the input received is available in the What We Heard document on the EngageYukon website.
Corrections branch takes over provost services from RCMP
The Department of Justice Corrections branch has assumed responsibility for Whitehorse provost services from the Yukon RCMP. As of October 1, 2018, Corrections Officers will be providing provost services. This will include transporting persons in custody between the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, the Arrest Processing Unit and the Whitehorse Law Courts, as well as guarding services for court proceedings.
Come together for the United Way pancake breakfast
Joint news release with United Way
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way breakfast fundraiser on September 28 at the Yukon Convention Centre from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. with all the fixings – pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, fruit, muffins, croissants, juice, coffee and tea.
Government of Yukon and RCMP announce policing infrastructure plans
The Minister of Justice and Yukon RCMP Commanding Officer have agreed to a capital plan that will guide investments in Yukon’s policing infrastructure until 2022.
The plan includes a new detachment building in Carcross and renovations to the police buildings in Ross River and Faro.
Consultation on Final Recommended Plan for the Peel Watershed begins
Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
The parties responsible for completing the Regional Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed have launched the final consultation with affected communities and stakeholders on the Final Recommended Plan.
The Government of Yukon, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council invite the public to provide input on the Final Recommended Plan.
Local organizations receive funding for prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and girls
Five community-based projects to help prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls are receiving a total of $148,000 in funding from the Prevention of Violence against Aboriginal Women Fund.
The projects aim to address and prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls in Yukon communities through various initiatives, including raising awareness, healing and educational opportunities.
