Yukon News Releases
National Take Action on Radon campaign launches
The Government of Yukon has partnered with the Yukon Lung Association to participate in Canada’s Take Action on Radon campaign. The emphasis this year is on areas where previous radon testing showed high results, including communities and Whitehorse subdivisions.
Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can enter buildings through cracks, drains, sump pumps and gaps around pipe fittings. It can be found in any Yukon home and is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Government of Yukon receives Tourism Development Strategy
The Yukon Tourism Development Strategy steering committee has provided the Government of Yukon with their new strategy, Sustainable Tourism. Our Path. Our Future.
Key legislation passes as fall sitting ends
Significant legislation focused on modernization, openness and inclusivity will pass as the fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly ends today.
New legislation this fall includes:
Yukon to reduce ophthalmology wait times
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation have developed a plan to reduce wait times for ophthalmology consultations and increase the number of cataract surgeries performed in Yukon.
The new plan, which comes into effect in January 2019, will reduce the wait time for ophthalmology consultation to four months before the end of the year while also maintaining wait time for surgery following consultation at four months or less. These wait times are in line with the Canadian benchmark.
Government of Yukon seeking input to improve LGBTQ2S+ inclusion
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) Yukoners and their allies are being asked to share their insights to help improve their inclusion in Government of Yukon programs and services. The government will be hosting community dialogues, in-depth focus groups and an online survey in a comprehensive, government-wide initiative to help ensure LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and non-discrimination.
New accessible seniors’ duplexes open in Carmacks
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
The governments of Yukon and Canada officially opened two new accessible duplexes in Carmacks today, the first seniors’ accessible housing project in the community. The new housing supports Aging in Place, a collaborative Yukon-wide effort that allows seniors to live in their home community as they age.
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.
