Yukon News Releases
The Government of Yukon, Yukon University and ComIT partner to bring coding training to Yukon First Nations students
The Government of Yukon has reached an agreement with Yukon University and ComIT, with the support of Google, to host a coding training program for Yukon First Nations students. The agreement will last for a period of one year.
Participants in the program will be provided with free coding training and have an opportunity to join an entry-level technology position upon graduation from the program.
The Government of Yukon and Yukon University have agreed to:
Northern Premiers’ Forum to take place in Whitehorse
The Government of Yukon is hosting the Northern Premiers’ Forum in Whitehorse, Yukon, from May 8 to 9, 2022. The Premiers of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will be in attendance.
Premiers are set to discuss a variety of topics that will advance shared work to continue to build a strong, vibrant and resilient North, including Arctic security, climate change, housing, health care and public safety.
The Yukon Midwifery Program to launch in early July 2022
The Yukon Midwifery Program has hired a second registered midwife and anticipates being able to receive clients at the clinic as early as the first week in July. Whitehorse residents who are in their first 20 weeks of pregnancy will be able to apply for midwifery care prior to the program launch.
The midwifery clinic will be located at 9010 Quartz Road. Midwives will also have privileges at Yukon Hospitals.
The Novavax Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine is now available
Yukoners who are 18 years of age and older and have not received another type of COVID-19 vaccine can now get the Novavax Nuvaxovid vaccine. Novavax is a non-mRNA, protein-based vaccine that is 90 per cent effective in protecting people against COVID-19. The vaccine is a two dose series with doses eight weeks apart.
Yukoners, including those in all rural communities, can access the vaccine by phoning the Whitehorse Health Centre at 867-667-8864. They will be asked for their full name and telephone number and will be followed up with an appointment when one is available.
The Government of Yukon supports launch of Klondike Placer Miners' Association education program
The Government of Yukon is providing over $148,000 to support the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association (KPMA) launch of KPMA 101, an industry-led training and compliance education program for its members.
Built around three core components, KPMA 101 is an app that includes training modules, on-site implementation support and an adaptive management roundtable to ensure concepts are being communicated and implemented.
Series of activities planned for Emergency Preparedness Week
This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and the Government of Yukon is hosting a series of awareness and educational activities.
The Government of Yukon is seeking feedback from Yukoners on the development of new parks regulations
The Government of Yukon is launching a public engagement to modernize parks regulations in the territory. Feedback is being sought from Yukoners on noise, domestic animals, liquor, smoking, on-road and off-road vehicles, aircraft use (including drones), park zoning, permitting and other regulations related to parks. Yukoners can submit their feedback through a survey by July 4, 2022.
Following the engagement with Yukoners, the Government of Yukon expects to have modernized regulations for the 2023 camping season.
The Government of Yukon sets policing priorities for 2022–23
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has provided the 2022–23 policing priorities to Yukon RCMP Chief Superintendent Scott Sheppard.
Policing priorities are established by the Minister of Justice based on the feedback received from the Yukon Police Council, community partners and the Department of Justice.
The Yukon Police Council ensures that Yukoners have a say about the policing services they receive. The council collects feedback from Yukoners on community policing and develops recommendations that are included in the drafting of policing priorities.
Surplus budget passes as 2022 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly concludes
Today, the 2022 Spring Sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly concluded. During the Spring Sitting, the Government of Yukon’s 2022-23 Budget received assent along with a number of pieces of legislation.
The 2022–23 Budget shows a surplus of $39.5 million and a total of $1.97 billion in spending. This includes a record capital budget of $546.5 million for the territory’s roads, buildings, bridges and airports. These investments will bring benefits to Yukoners in every community and help support the territory’s growing economy.
Statement on National Immunization Awareness Week from Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“Saturday marked the start of National Immunization Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight the important role immunization plays in protecting our health and saving lives.
“The World Health Organization estimates that immunization prevents between two to three million deaths every year and has contributed to the reduction of illness and death in adults, children and vulnerable people around the world.
Yukon school calendar dates finalized for 2022–23
A complete list of calendar dates for all Yukon schools for the 2022–23 school year are now finalized and available online at Yukon.ca.
School calendars are developed in partnership with school administrators and school councils. School councils provide input on how school calendar dates affect the community, including for Yukon First Nations cultural activities.
Nominations open for mental health and addictions care award
Nominations are now open for the Council of the Federation Award for Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions Care.
This award recognizes Yukoners, non-governmental organizations or Yukon First Nations governments that demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in mental health and substance use care.
The award is valued at $5,000 and will be given to one recipient or organization going above and beyond to promote mental wellness in the territory.
The deadline to submit nominations is May 20, 2022.
The Yukon to improve access to ophthalmology care
The Government of Yukon is increasing funding for the Yukon Hospital Corporation’s Ophthalmology Program by $442,000 per year.
The Government of Yukon and Yukon Hospital Corporation have had a three-year plan to reduce wait times and improve access to ophthalmology care in the Yukon. Based on the trial's success, funding will be increased permanently.
Long-term care COVID-19 outbreak declared at Whistle Bend Place
The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at Whistle Bend Place long-term care home following the identification of several linked cases.
Routine outbreak management procedures have been put in place to keep staff and residents safe. Whistle Bend Place is working closely with the OCMOH and Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) to contain the outbreak and ensure infection prevention and control practices are followed. Further testing, investigation and contact tracing is currently underway.
Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act to be implemented
The Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act (2022) was passed by the Legislative Assembly and received assent on March 31, 2022.
The amendments to the Act will help improve outcomes for children, youth and families who are involved with the child welfare system and address the over-representation of Indigenous children and youth in care. The amended Act will also help ensure that the culture, community and families of children and youth in care are preserved while enhancing supports for caregivers, including extended family members.
Statement from Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kancir on assessing your COVID-19 risk during Easter
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kancir has issued the following statement:
“With the long weekend approaching and increased COVID-19 risk across the Yukon, it’s as important as ever to consider your COVID-19 risk before attending a dinner party, cultural or faith-based gathering or other Easter or spring event.
“Use your COVID-19 sense to assess your risk before gatherings so that you can help protect yourself and others.
Council of Yukon First Nations donates rapid molecular tests to the Yukon government
This is a joint news release between CYFN and the Yukon government.
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) has made a donation of rapid molecular tests to the Yukon government for use at Yukon community health centres.
CYFN is donating 3,912 rapid molecular tests to the Yukon government for allocation to community health centres in the Yukon.
Literary program update from the Office of the Commissioner of Yukon
The Commissioner of Yukon would like to update Yukoners with details on her Literary Program.
Borealis PrizeThis prize recognizes excellence in contributions by the writers, publishers, editors and literary community builders of the Yukon. For this third year, the Commissioner of Yukon has worked with BC and Yukon Book Prizes to increase the prize money to $2,000 and the winner of the 2022 Borealis Prize will be invited to do a paid event (travel included) at the 2022 Dawson Daily News Print and Publishing Festival in June.
April snow survey shows snowpack in the Yukon is above average
Results from the Yukon government’s April 1 Yukon Snow Survey Bulletin and Water Supply Forecast show that snowpack throughout the Yukon is well above average.
Eight of eleven monitored basins have the highest basin snowpack estimates ever recorded, while the remaining three basins have well above average snowpack.
Record setting snowpack in many watersheds in the territory increases the potential for flooding during river ice breakup and spring snowmelt.
Atlin Hydro Expansion Project to receive $32.2 million from Natural Resources Canada
Today, federal Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, joined by the Premier of Yukon Sandy Silver, Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation and the Yukon Energy Corporation John Streicker and Member of Parliament for the Yukon Brendan Hanley, announced a $32.2 million investment to Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited Partnership for the Atlin Hydro Expansion Project.
The Yukon government has committed $50 million over the next five years towards the Atlin Hydro Expansion project, including $15 million for the project this year.
