Yukon News Releases
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“It is with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of Great Britain on February 6, 1952, and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, at the age of 27. Her Majesty dedicated a substantial part of her life to public service and helping Canadians and her legacy will forever be recognized in Canadian history.
Statement from the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Commissioner of Yukon has issued the following statement:
“On behalf of all Yukoners, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan is now available
The Dawson Regional Planning Commission’s Recommended Plan is now available to the public. This is a significant milestone in the regional land use planning process and an important step under Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement.
Public engagement will begin on September 19, at which time the Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in invite all Yukoners to complete the online survey. The engagement period will run until November 20, 2022. Your feedback is vital to shaping the future land use in the Dawson planning region.
What We Heard report details feedback on proposed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Government of Yukon has published a What We Heard report following a public engagement on creating a new statutory day to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The survey also sought to understand the economic impact that a new statutory day might have on the local business community and economy.
The Yukon Bureau of Statistics hosted the survey from March 8 to April 30, 2022, which drew responses from 1,294 members of the public, First Nations, businesses and other stakeholders.
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association reach tentative agreement
On September 1, 2022, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association (YMA) reached a tentative agreement on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The agreement will be submitted for ratification by the respective parties. No details will be released until the agreement is ratified.
Statement from Minister Clarke on hunting in Yukon First Nations traditional territories
The Government of Yukon is aware of the Ross River Dena Council and Liard First Nation’s requests related to hunting in their traditional territories.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services and Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health on the new bivalent COVID-19 booster
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade have issued the following statement:
“We are very pleased to announce that Yukoners aged 18 and older will soon have access to a Health Canada approved Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first bivalent COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Canada and it provides protection against both the Omicron and the original COVID-19 variants.
United Way Breakfast tickets now available
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way Breakfast fundraiser on Friday, September 16 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre from 7 to 9:30 am.
This year's theme, Why I Give, encourages Yukoners to share their stories about why they give to charitable events. All money raised from ticket sales, cash donations and the online auction will be donated to Yukon charities and community organizations. The United Way Yukon has partnered with Bridges Café for this year’s event. Attendees will enjoy pancakes with a variety of sides and beverages.
Public input sought on extending term of office for municipal councils
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input on extending the term of office for mayors and councils of Yukon municipalities and local advisory councils from three to four years.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on International Overdose Awareness Day
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. Today is an opportunity for the Yukon to continue to work together to prevent overdoses, support Yukoners struggling with substance use, remember those, without stigma, who have died and acknowledge the grief of family, friends, loved ones and communities left behind.
Environment Ministers meet in Whitehorse
The Canadian Council for Ministers of Environment (CCME), comprising federal, provincial and territorial Environment Ministers, held their annual meeting in Whitehorse today.
Together, the Ministers released A Roadmap to Strengthen the Management of Single-use and Disposable Plastics as a part of CCME’s implementation of the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste.
Yesterday, Ministers met with national Indigenous leaders and Yukon First Nation leaders on environmental issues of mutual interest.
Government of Yukon proud of Team Yukon’s performance at the 2022 Canada 55+ Games
Team Yukon has made Yukoners proud with their achievements at the 2022 Canada 55+ Games.
A record 143 athletes took part in this year’s Games from August 23 through 26 in Kamloops, B.C. This year, Team Yukon took home a total of 74 medals, including 20 gold, 30 silver and 24 bronze.
Team Yukon athletes competed in 19 events, including track and field, swimming, pickleball, slo-pitch, cycling and dragon boat racing.
The next Games will take place in Trois-Rivières, Quebec in 2024.
The Yukon and Northwest Territories sign Bilateral Water Management agreements
This news release has been updated to accurately reflect the Yukon Indigenous Representative on Mackenzie River Basin Board's comment:
The governments of Yukon and the Northwest Territories have signed two Bilateral Water Management agreements. The agreements apply to the Peel and Liard River sub-basins, both of which are in the Mackenzie River Basin, and will help better manage and sustain the aquatic ecosystem health in these two key watersheds.
Together, the parties have agreed to:
New framework proposed for mineral staking and development in planned and zoned communities
The Government of Yukon is seeking feedback on the proposed Mineral Staking and Development Framework for Planned and Zoned Communities.
The intent of the framework is to ensure that if mineral staking and development is undertaken in Yukon communities, it is conducted in a way that promotes sustainable development, respects community values and minimizes land use conflict.
Joint statement from Canada’s territorial Premiers following the Arctic Circle Forum in Greenland
Premier of the Yukon Sandy Silver, Premier of the Northwest Territories Caroline Cochrane and Premier of Nunavut P.J. Akeeagok have issued the following joint statement:
“It was an honour to be invited to the Arctic Circle Forum and attend in-person to continue a global dialogue about the North. The importance of international cooperation and partnership on a range of issues is clear. From security to creating healthier lives and economic opportunities for our people, the conversations that lead to a peaceful and cleaner future must continue.
Premier Silver promotes Yukon priorities at Arctic Circle Forum
Premier Sandy Silver represented the Yukon and advanced a number of key northern discussions at the Arctic Circle Greenland Forum, which took place from August 27 to 29 in Nuuk, Greenland.
Newly complete Whitehorse Rapid Housing Initiative triplex
The Yukon Housing Corporation (YHC) is announcing the completion of the final Rapid Housing Initiative project in Whitehorse. This triplex is one of three triplexes built in the Yukon thanks to $3 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative, $1.3 million from the Yukon Housing Corporation and $1.1 million through the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation’s Northern Housing Fund. The other two triplexes are located in Watson Lake and Mayo. These three projects add nine affordable, energy-efficient homes to the territory.
Premier Silver strengthens pan-Arctic relations in Iceland
Premier Sandy Silver met with several government, business and civic leaders in Reykjavik, Iceland this week to discuss Arctic sovereignty and the importance of increased cooperation and collaboration throughout the circumpolar North. The meetings took place as Canada celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Iceland and built on discussions held when the Nordic ambassadors visited Whitehorse during the Arctic Arts Summit in June.
Yukoners affected by 2022 flooding can apply for flood relief
Today, the Government of Yukon launched the 2022 Flood Relief program to help residents pay for damages to their property and possessions caused by this year’s flooding. Residents from the following locations can apply to the 2022 Flood Relief Program: Carmacks, Cowley Creek, Dawson, Fox Lake, Ibex Valley, Lake Laberge, Liard, McConnell Lake, Old Crow, Pelly Crossing, Ross River, Tagish and Teslin.
Eligible Yukoners can access funding through three streams:
Government of Yukon proud to support Team Yukon as it begins competition at the Canada 55+ Games
The Government of Yukon is wishing Team Yukon 55+ the best of luck as participants begin their first day of competition today at the 2022 Canada 55+ Games in Kamloops, BC.
A record 147 participants, as well as 15 non-participants, are competing in this year’s games. Team Yukon will compete in 19 sports, including track and field, swimming, pickleball, slo-pitch, cycling and dragon boat racing. This is the first Canada 55+ Games since the 2020 Games were postponed due to COVID-19. Competitions begin today and finish on August 26.
