Yukon News Releases
The Government of Yukon and Connective to operate supervised community housing program for women in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations
This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and Connective.
Governments of Canada and Yukon invest in expanded services for City of Whitehorse
This is a joint news release between the governments of Canada and Yukon and the City of Whitehorse.
Today, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Member of Parliament for Yukon Dr. Brendan Hanley and Mayor of the City of Whitehorse Laura Cabott announced $4.2 million in joint funding for the purchase of two 40-foot accessible buses and for upgrades to the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility Transfer Station.
2023 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2023 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 pm on Thursday, March 2.
The 2023–24 Budget will be introduced along with a 2022–23 Second Supplementary Estimates. The Government of Yukon will also release its Five-Year Capital Plan and the Fiscal and Economic Outlook for 2023–24.
Please note the legislative assembly will not sit on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023.
Government of Yukon provides funding to support response to escarpment slide
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn announced today the Government of Yukon will provide $2 million in funding to the City of Whitehorse to offset costs resulting from their response to the 2022 escarpment slide on Robert Service Way.
In the spring of 2022, a landslide occurred on the escarpment along Robert Service Way and the Yukon River. The slide forced the closure of the roadway as well as the Millennium and Airport trails for approximately six weeks, as tension cracks were observed and slides occurred elsewhere along the escarpment.
Yukon municipalities sign on to Better Buildings program
All of the Yukon’s eight municipalities have signed agreements to participate in delivering the Government of Yukon’s Better Buildings program. This means all Yukon residential and commercial property owners throughout the Yukon can access low-interest funding to make energy-efficiency retrofits to their homes and businesses.
The Better Buildings program provides up to $50,000 for residential and $100,000 for commercial buildings for upgrades that reduce annual energy consumption. Eligible participants repay through local improvement charges added to their annual property taxes.
Team Yukon ready for the 2023 Canada Winter Games
Team Yukon is back in action for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. More than 170 Yukon athletes, coaches and mission staff will represent the territory at the country’s largest multi-sport competition from February 18 to March 5.
Team Yukon will have athletes competing in 15 of the 20 sports on the schedule including archery, which is making its return to the Games.
Leading Team Yukon into the opening ceremonies as flag bearer will be hockey player Gavin McKenna.
Premier Pillai advances negotiations for increased federal health funding
Premier Ranj Pillai met in Whitehorse today with the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc and federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.
Today’s discussions built on progress from last week’s working meeting of First Ministers on health care in Ottawa and advanced Yukon-specific negotiations on bilateral agreements on health care funding.
Commissioner of Yukon launches new funding program for Yukon Francophonie Day
To encourage opportunities for all Yukoners to participate in Yukon Francophonie Day celebrations a $15,000 annual funding program is being launched by the Commissioner of Yukon.
The funding will support community groups, businesses, municipalities and educational institutions in organizing local events promoting the vitality and diversity of the Yukon Francophone community.
To be eligible, events must:
Statement from Premier Pillai on meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement following his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:
“I was pleased to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Whitehorse today at Northlight Innovation. Our discussions focused on the still active multi-national response to the security incidents of the past few days.
“We also discussed ways of advancing the Yukon’s priorities, including infrastructure development, clean energy, arctic security and health care.
Statement from Premier Pillai regarding high altitude object shot down over the Yukon
“Today, I was briefed by Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendocino and Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal about the high altitude airborne object shot down over the Yukon. I also spoke with Minister of National Defence Anita Anand.
“We recognize events like these can generate concern, but I want to assure Yukoners that at no time was the safety of Yukoners at risk. I also want to commend the Prime Minister for taking decisive action to protect Yukoners and all Canadians.
Statement from Premier Pillai regarding object shot down over Alaska
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“After this day’s events, our government has been in contact with the federal government and we are tracking events as they unfold.
“This past week, I met with federal representatives to discuss Arctic security, recognizing the challenges our country and territory will face in the years ahead.
“We will continue to track events and ensure Yukoners are kept informed.”
Statement from Premier Pillai on the 50th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“50 years ago, on February 14, 1973, Yukon First Nations leaders presented Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow to then-Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
“This forward-looking document articulated a vision for a fair and just future where First Nations people would be equals in Yukon’s society, economy and governance. It was both a statement of grievances as well as a proposal of solutions.
Congratulations to Team Yukon on their successes at the Arctic Winter Games
The Government of Yukon congratulates all members of Team Yukon for proudly representing the territory at the 2023 Arctic Winter Games in Wood Buffalo, Alberta.
Over 350 athletes, coaches, cultural delegates and support staff travelled to Fort McMurray, between January 29 and February 4. Twenty sports were contested throughout the week-long multisport event which included cultural performances.
Team Yukon came first in the ulu count with 169, topping Alaska by 24. The team earned 62 gold, 56 silver and 52 bronze.
Statement from Premier Ranj Pillai on the passing of Dennis Schneider
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“I would like to express my sincere condolences on the passing of former MLA Dennis Schneider.
“Dennis served the territory as the MLA for Whitehorse West and the Speaker of the House from 2000 to 2002.
“Born in Manitoba, Dennis served with the RCMP for 36 years with postings in Saskatchewan and Whitehorse. Post-retirement in 1996, he embarked on his political career and several other enterprises, including a stint as a school bus driver.
The Government of Yukon is seeking input on proposed changes to the Forest Resources Act and Regulation
The Government of Yukon is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the Forest Resources Act and Regulation. The feedback received during the consultation and engagement period will be reviewed by the Forest Resources Act Working Group and final recommendations will be made to the Government of Yukon.
Public engagement begins on new minerals legislation
The Government of Yukon, in collaboration with Yukon First Nations and transboundary First Nations, is seeking public feedback to develop new minerals legislation for the territory.
The new legislation will address every stage of the life cycle of mining activity, from prospecting to the operation of a mine and the eventual closure and remediation of a site.
Statement from the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ranade on escalating rates of syphilis
“The Yukon is seeing increasing rates of syphilis across the territory which is cause for concern because it can cause serious, long-term health harms if left untreated. I encourage all sexually active Yukoners to use protection and make testing a regular part of their sexual health routine.
Yukon residential rent index updated and new conditions for ending residential tenancies introduced
As part of efforts to address housing pressures Yukoners are facing, the territory’s residential rent index has been updated. Rental increases in the Yukon are indexed to inflation up to a limit of 5 per cent. Should inflation fall below 2 per cent, landlords can still adjust rent up to 2 per cent.
An Exemption Regulation to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) has also been introduced that places conditions on ending a residential tenancy in the territory.
Premier Pillai to attend First Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa
Canada’s Premiers will be joining Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a First Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa on February 7, 2023. The discussion will focus on building strong health care systems across the country.
