Yukon News Releases
New maintenance facility to be built at Dawson City airport
The Government of Yukon is starting construction on a new maintenance facility at the Dawson City airport this summer. Construction costs are estimated at $7.7 million and the facility is slated for completion in summer 2019.
Yukon Public Libraries offers new accessible service
Yukoners with print disabilities – learning, physical or visual disabilities that prevent a person from reading conventional print – can now use a new accessible service at Yukon Public Libraries, free of charge.
Through a partnership with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), Yukon Public Libraries now offers a broad range of reading materials in various accessible formats. The over 500,000 accessible items include books, newspapers, magazines and movies for all ages and interests in English or French, with expanding access to other languages.
Statement from Premier Silver on the passing of Joe Linklater
Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement today:
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers endorse new Housing Partnership Framework
Joint news release with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for housing met today to endorse a multilateral Housing Partnership Framework* (Partnership), further advancing the National Housing Strategy (NHS) and setting the foundation for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together toward achieving a long-term shared vision for housing.
New loan program promotes diverse housing options in rural Yukon
The Government of Yukon will provide $2 million dollars over three years for short-term construction financing through the Developer Build Program. This will help contractors provide modest, sustainable housing options in Yukon communities.
Government of Yukon announces $241,000 in new legal aid funding
The Yukon Legal Services Society, also known as Yukon Legal Aid, is receiving $241,000 in additional funding to expand its capacity to provide professional legal services to Yukoners.
The new funding will allow the society to address an increasing volume of complex cases by hiring a senior criminal law practitioner. It will also help with increased administrative costs associated with a higher demand for the society’s services.
Government of Yukon announces funding in school technology for better student learning
The Government of Yukon will invest $1.9 million in 2018–19 to improve school-based information technology and embrace modern teaching and learning practices.
This funding will support equipping schools with more computing devices to create mobile computer labs that bring digital learning directly to the classroom. It will also support connectivity projects to increase student access to global information. These projects will support the redesigned curriculum and enable flexible, collaborative learning environments in all Yukon schools.
Yukon moving to digital land title registry
The Government of Yukon has awarded Information Services Corporation a 20-year contract to digitize its land title registration processes. The new registry – the Yukon Electronic Title Information (YETI) system – will cost an average of $229,000 a year to maintain and support.
Yukon school calendar dates now available
School calendar dates for all Yukon schools are now available online for the 2018–19 school year. Some non-instructional days for professional learning for teachers and school bell schedules are still being set and will be finalized in the coming weeks. Key dates for Whitehorse schools are also now available for 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22.
More than $60 million in construction projects tendered early
Dozens of large construction projects were put out to tender early for the 2018 summer season. More than $60 million worth of construction projects were tendered before March 31. The Government of Yukon plans to post more tenders worth approximately $4 million combined in the next few weeks.
The recommendations of the Procurement Advisory Panel have been implemented by the government and work is ongoing to create long-term improvements that will provide lasting benefits to the territory.
Yukon releases record-breaking tourism numbers
The Government of Yukon is releasing the latest tourism visitor statistics, which show record-breaking numbers in 2017 across several key areas.
One of the areas experiencing growth is air arrivals – numbers are up eight per cent from 2016 and 18 per cent higher than the five-year average. International border crossings are up by four per cent and international overnight visitation is up three per cent. Tourism sector revenues are estimated at 7.5 per cent above 2016 figures.
Updates to Comprehensive Municipal Grant will provide Yukon municipalities with sustainable, predictable funding
Joint news release with Association of Yukon Communities
The Comprehensive Municipal Grant (CMG) has been updated following a review by a joint Government of Yukon and Association of Yukon Communities working group, providing predictable, sustainable funding for the next five years.
Interim Electrical Rebate renewed
The Government of Yukon has renewed the Interim Electrical Rebate, pending legislative approval. The rebate is applied to electric bills and reduces the overall amount Yukoners pay each month for electricity.
Administered by the Yukon Development Corporation, the rebate reduces the amount customers pay on the first 1,000 kilowatt hours each month.
Extension of Municipal Matching Rental Construction Program
The Yukon Housing Corporation has allocated $1 million in grant funding to continue the Municipal Matching Rental Construction Program. The program matches contributions from municipal governments that allow the construction of new rental units across Yukon.
The Government of Yukon is committed to working with communities to identify and address housing needs across the territory. The program aims to support the unique housing needs of each community.
Next phase of LGBTQ2S+ non-discrimination work to begin this spring
The Government of Yukon is taking steps to design a public engagement on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) inclusion to ensure that government practices are meeting the needs and priorities of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners.
Challenge Disability Resource Group purchases downtown lot with support from Government of Yukon
Joint news release with Challenge Disability Resource Group
First Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services hub officially opened
The Watson Lake hub for Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services officially opened today. The new hub will provide a variety of services to Watson Lake residents, as well as specialist services to the neighbouring communities of Teslin, Carcross and Tagish.
With the opening of the new hub, community members have one-door access to a wide range of services. These include mental wellness support for individuals who have experienced trauma, individual counselling, outreach services, community support and pre and post-care related to substance use.
Order of Yukon award established to honour outstanding achievement
The Order of Yukon Act has now officially come into force with Yukon’s new Commissioner, Ms. Angélique Bernard, assenting to the bill this afternoon. The Order of Yukon will be the territory’s highest honour, allowing Yukoners to formally recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Yukon society.
American Sign Language program receives permanent funding
The Government of Yukon is providing permanent funding of $170,000 per year for the American Sign Language (ASL) program. The program was initiated as a pilot in 2012 for two years and extended for another three years.
ASL interpretation is used by Yukon’s deaf and hard of hearing community to access a range of services and programs – including medical services, legal services, employment opportunities, training and community and cultural events.
Ten new long-term care beds to open at Thomson Centre
The Government of Yukon is creating 10 new long-term care bedrooms at Thomson Centre in Whitehorse. Adding these much-needed beds will help reduce pressures at the Whitehorse General Hospital and at community hospitals across Yukon.
There are currently 75 individuals on a waiting list for placement in a continuing care facility, with nine occupying beds at the Whitehorse General Hospital. The new rooms will provide some of these patients with a home that better meets their needs, as most no longer require the high level of care provided by the hospital.
