Yukon News Releases
2015 Minto Mine Socio-Economic Monitoring Report released
Joint news release with Selkirk First Nation and Minto Explorations Ltd.
Selkirk First Nation, Minto Explorations Ltd. and the Government of Yukon today released the Minto Mine Socio-Economic Monitoring Program’s 2015 Annual Report.
This Annual Report provides baseline information and trends from the start of the mine’s life in 2005 until the end of 2015.
By working together, the parties are better able to monitor commitments and assess effects arising from the mine, as well as plan for future resource activities.
Government of Yukon seeks feedback on proposed lobbyist registry
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input on the development of new lobbying legislation that would establish a mandatory, publicly-accessible lobbyist registry.
The proposed legislation would make registration mandatory for lobbyists, allowing Yukoners to know who is communicating with elected officials and public servants, and on what topics.
Territorial health and social services Ministers discuss shared priorities
Joint news release with the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut
In advance of the meeting in Halifax of Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services, health and social services Ministers from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut met to discuss key areas of strategic collaboration to improve outcomes in health and social services across the North.
Liquor Act engagement What We Heard progress report released today
The Government of Yukon has released a progress report on the Liquor Act review ongoing engagement process. The What We Heard document reflects the views of Yukoners on a topic which is clearly of interest to community members.
Starting in December 2017 the Yukon Liquor Corporation hosted 44 meetings in 14 communities. Nearly 450 Yukon citizens participated in the survey. Government of Yukon officials heard from First Nation, municipalities, local advisory councils, licensees, health professionals, non-government organizations and members of the public.
Senior leadership changes in the public service
Premier Sandy Silver has appointed Pamela Muir as the new Public Service Commissioner and Ed van Randen as acting Deputy Minister at the Department of Environment.
Tom Ullyett, the Deputy Minister for the Department of Justice, has been acting Public Service Commissioner since December 2016. Ullyett will retire from the Government of Yukon in September 2018. Muir will start on September 10.
Joe MacGillivray, Deputy Minister with the Department of Environment, is leaving the Government of Yukon. Van Randen will start on August 1.
No Name brand chicken burgers linked to national Salmonella outbreak
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked No Name brand chicken burgers to a recent outbreak of Salmonella infection. The packages, which were removed from store shelves in June, have a best before date of February 6, 2019 and were sold in 1 kilogram packages throughout Canada, including multiple locations in Yukon.
2018–19 hunting season in Ross River area
The Government of Yukon wants to ensure hunters are safe, respectful and clear about their legal obligations while hunting in the Ross River area this season.
The Department of Environment and Minister Pauline Frost are working closely with the Ross River Dena Council and Chief Jack Caesar to ensure a collaborative approach and understanding of hunting, fish and wildlife concerns in the Ross River area, as well as long-term solutions to protect habitat areas and jointly manage the impact of harvesting activities.
Eight projects receive Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funds
Eight community-led projects focused on crime prevention are receiving $121,768 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust.
Many of the projects receiving funding aim to reach youth and provide opportunities for them to form relationships and build life skills. They open up possibilities for youth to create healthy lifestyles through sport, music and cultural camps and programming.
Second phase of Carcross/Tagish First Nation Learning Centre complete
Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Carcross/Tagish First Nation residents now have access to a new Language Hub and meeting spaces for youth and Elders, as well as for their heritage and archives materials and document management systems. The second phase of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Learning Centre is now complete and provides additional space for the community to expand its traditional and modern learning facilities.
Government of Canada invests $30 million to support health care services in Yukon
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
Canada’s universal, publicly funded health system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working with territories to strengthen health care and adapt the system to the challenges of delivering health care in the North.
2018–19 Permit Hunt will go ahead, despite errors found in redraw
Following the July 10 redraw of the 2018–19 Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) lottery, additional data errors were discovered. The errors are a result of duplicate client application histories that were not properly cross-referenced prior to the draw. Approximately 300 individuals were affected by the errors.
Given that the hunting season starts on August 1, and hunters need time to plan and prepare, a further redraw will not take place. Permits issued through the July 10th redraw are valid for the 2018–19 hunting season. No returned permits will be reissued prior to August 1.
Yukon Premier to make sure infrastructure investment fits territory’s needs
At the meeting of Canada’s Premiers that ended in New Brunswick today, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver stressed that territories and provinces must have the flexibility to spend federal infrastructure funding where it is most needed.
Territorial Premiers commit to working with new federal Ministers to advance the needs of northerners
Joint news release with the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut
(Moncton, NB) Northern Premiers today extend their congratulations to new members of the Government of Canada’s Cabinet and look forward to working with all Ministers and the Prime Minister to continue to advance northern priorities.
Yukon’s policing priorities set for 2018–19
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has communicated four policing priorities for 2018–19 to the Yukon RCMP that focus on addressing violence against women, responding to serious and organized crime and building stronger relationships with First Nations, communities and youth.
Yukon’s annual policing priorities are informed by the Minister of Justice from recommendations given by the Yukon Police Council, as well as information and analysis provided by the Government of Yukon’s Department of Justice.
Local company awarded Yukon’s air ambulance value-driven contract
(Note: we have added explanations of the phrases “fit up term” and “tendered service” to the quick facts below.)
Yukon Premier continues work with counterparts for a strong Canada
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver will participate in the summer meeting of Premiers in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, from July 18 to 20. Agenda topics will include trade, the economy, infrastructure, health care and cannabis.
Personal Use Fuelwood Permits now available online
(Note: this news release originally said that the public could collect commercial permits over the counter. We have corrected this error.)
Yukoners can now get free Personal Use Fuelwood Permits online to cut up to 11 cords (25 cubic metres) of firewood per year on public land for personal use.
Public input sought for update of Coroners Act
Yukoners are asked to provide feedback on modernizing the Coroner’s Service. Through an online survey, citizens can describe what factors they believe should be considered in updating the Coroners Act, the legislation that guides the operations of the service.
Public responses will be considered before the drafting of new legislation. A new Act will be introduced during the fall 2018 session.
Comments will be accepted until August 24, 2018.
Pavement upgrades underway at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
The Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport is being upgraded. Starting this week, the main runway will be resurfaced with asphalt.
Work on the 40-year-old runway will extend its life and ensure it continues to meet the growing demands of an international airport. A complete runway reconstruction is being planned to begin within the next 7 years.
Construction has been scheduled to have a minimal effect on air traffic. The secondary runway is also available for arriving and departing aircraft when the main runway is closed.
Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission being formed
Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
As part of their ongoing commitment to improving collaboration on land use planning initiatives, the Government of Yukon and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have agreed to restart the Dawson Regional Land Use Planning process. The Commission will be re-established by the fall of 2018.
