Yukon News Releases
Public input sought on proposed expanded leave benefits
The Government of Yukon is seeking input from families and employers on recent changes to federal employment insurance benefits for parental leave and leaves for family caregiving purposes. The public is asked for their feedback on whether to align leave allotments available within Yukon's Employment Standards Act with these changes.
Art exhibit by Continuing Care residents opens this week
An art exhibit featuring the work of residents in Yukon’s continuing care homes opens this week at the Yukon Arts Centre Community Gallery in Whitehorse. The show runs from September 6 through 29.
The exhibit, titled Artistic Expressions, features the works of more than 10 residents from Birch Lodge, Thomson Centre, Macaulay Lodge and Copper Ridge Place. It includes paintings, drawings, carvings, felt and crochet works, beadwork, photography and written work.
Yukoners are invited to attend an opening reception on Thursday, September 6, at 5:30 p.m.
Early Childhood Education Bursaries now available for Yukoners
Yukon residents pursuing studies in early childhood education can now apply for funding towards the cost of their studies. Early Childhood Education Bursaries are available to both full- and part-time students.
Funding for the bursaries comes from the Canada-Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which the Governments of Yukon and Canada signed in February 2018.
Khàtìnas.àxh [pronounced “Kaw keen ah sa”] Community School is now the name of the Teslin School
Joint news release with the Teslin Tlingit Council and Khàtìnas.àxh Community School Council
Today the Teslin Tlingit Council, the Teslin School Council, students, parents and Teslin residents are celebrating the renaming of the Teslin School.
Community projects receive more than $748,000 from the Community Development Fund
Organizations from across Yukon are receiving $748,332 in funding for community projects through the Community Development Fund (CDF). A total of 21 projects are receiving Tier I and II CDF funding to improve community infrastructure, increase food security, and enhance recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities in Yukon communities.
Funding recipients include the White River First Nation, to make improvements at the community garden in Beaver Creek, and the Mental Health Association of Yukon, to expand mental health programming in the territory.
Nomination Period Extended for Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission
Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
The Government of Yukon and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have agreed to extended the period for accepting nominations to the Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission to September 14.
Implementation working group formed to advance Whitehorse Correctional Centre inspection recommendations
The Government of Yukon has confirmed key members of the implementation working group that will support and provide input on how to fulfil the Whitehorse Correctional Centre inspection report recommendations.
The implementation working group will be chaired by Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice Allan Lucier. The group will include core representation from senior officials in the departments of Justice and Health and Social Services, the Investigations and Standards Office, the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Kwanlin Dün First Nation.
Paving of the Dawson City airport runway set to take off next year
The Government of Yukon released a tender today for the paving of the Dawson City airport runway in spring 2019. The project tender will close on September 18, 2018.
The contract also includes the previously planned paving of a second apron to ease congestion and ensure airport operations continue to be safe and efficient.
Government of Yukon officials met with stakeholders about the paving plans earlier in the month in Dawson City. Meetings will continue to take place over the next year as the project gets underway.
Yukon youth receive Outstanding Youth Achievement Awards
Five young Yukoners are being recognized for their community contributions through the Outstanding Youth Achievement Awards. The recipients for the 2018 Outstanding Youth Achievement Awards are: Sebastian Cuenza, Grace-Anne Janssen, Cassis Lindsay, Isabel Magsucang and Lizzy (Elizabeth) Sparling. They will each receive a cash prize of $250 and will be featured on posters in their communities. They will also receive a certificate of recognition from the Commissioner’s Office.
Renewable energy investments in Old Crow
Today the Government of Yukon announced a $500,000 investment for the installation of a 940-kilowatt solar array in Old Crow. The partnership between the Government of Yukon, Vuntut Gwitchin Government and Yukon Development Corporation will help develop Old Crow’s sustainable energy future and reduce the community’s dependence on diesel fuel.
This community-driven, grassroots project will provide employment opportunities for residents and offers long-term revenue potential, with ATCO Electric committing to a multi-year purchase of renewable energy generated by the array.
Draft grizzly bear conservation plan released
Today the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board released the draft of a conservation plan for grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) in Yukon. This is the first territory-wide comprehensive plan for grizzly bears in Yukon.
The draft plan was developed after public engagement in 2014 led the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board to recommend a plan be developed for grizzly bears in the territory.
Building vibrant northern communities is top of agenda at Premier’s meeting with federal Minister
Premier Sandy Silver met the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc in Whitehorse yesterday to discuss strategies for strengthening the North for the benefit of Yukoners and all Canadians.
Topics of discussion included ensuring the federal government’s Investing in Canada infrastructure plan fits Yukon’s circumstances, such as allowing for the higher cost of developing infrastructure in the North and the need to meet Yukon First Nations Self-Government Agreement obligations.
Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers meet to discuss energy and mining
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai attended the 2018 Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference in Iqaluit, Nunavut, from August 12 to 14.
Ministers were provided with an overview of both the challenges facing Canada’s competitiveness in the energy and mining sectors and the potential solutions being considered. The Ministers agreed to address these challenges by eliminating barriers to investment, promoting market diversification and improving the efficiency and timeliness of regulatory processes.
Grade 10 students using new school curriculum this year
A modernized school curriculum is being implemented for Grade 10 classes across Yukon when the school year begins next week.
The redesigned curriculum is based on British Columbia’s revised school curriculum, with adaptations to fit Yukon’s northern context and embed Yukon First Nations ways of knowing and doing in all grades.
Kindergarten to Grade 9 classes started using the new school curriculum last school year and grades 11 and 12 will start using the new curriculum in September 2019, following the same schedule as BC.
Yukon’s wildfire resources exported to British Columbia
On August 15, the Government of Yukon sent resources to British Columbia to assist with the province’s wildfire situation. This assistance was requested through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The British Columbia government declared a province-wide state of emergency yesterday in response to the ongoing wildfire situation.
Whitehorse Correctional Centre inspection report released, next steps announced
The final report of the independent inspection of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC) was released today.
The report by Mr. David Loukidelis includes 40 recommendations to improve the delivery of programs and services at the correctional centre and better serve inmates who have mental wellness needs.
Reception centre for BC fire evacuees moving to new location
The Whitehorse reception centre for people displaced by wildfires in northern BC is being moved from its current location at Vanier Secondary School to a new location at 9010 Quartz Road. Its hours of operation are also being amended.
Reception and emergency social services support will be provided at the new location as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice. After hours and on weekends, on-call support can be accessed by calling 867-332-3179. Collect calls are accepted.
Government of Yukon to make donation to support residents affected by wildfires in Telegraph Creek
The Government of Yukon is making a $25,000 donation to support BC residents affected by wildfires in the Telegraph Creek area.
The fires have forced residents of Telegraph Creek to evacuate their homes, and many structures have been destroyed.
Yukoners can make donations directly to the Tahltan Central Government, which has requested secure email transfers.
The Whitehorse reception centre is currently not set up to take public donations but there is a donation centre set up in Terrace, BC.
Building stronger communities across Yukon with federal Gas Tax Fund
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
Investing in local infrastructure supports the unique needs of northern communities. The governments of Canada and Yukon are investing in modern public infrastructure that will help create jobs, while improving Northern Canadians’ quality of life and contributing to stronger communities.
The Government of Canada delivered the first of two $8.25-million annual instalments of the federal Gas Tax Fund to Yukon. In total, the territory will be provided with $16.5 million this year through the fund.
Yukon to assist BC fire evacuees
The Government of Yukon received a formal request today from the Province of British Columbia to provide emergency social services support to BC residents who have been impacted by wildfires in the Telegraph Creek area.
The Yukon government is establishing a reception centre in Whitehorse to provide this support to those who need it. Reception centres are already operating in Dease Lake, Iskut and Terrace, BC.
The Whitehorse reception centre will, if required:
