Yukon News Releases
At-home rapid testing distribution continues to be expanded in the Yukon
The Government of Yukon is working with businesses and partners to expand the availability of free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits.
Yukoners can now pick up at-home rapid test kits at the following locations:
Government of Yukon reviewing Civil Emergency Measures Act and Public Health and Safety Act
The Government of Yukon is reviewing the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) and Public Health and Safety Act (PHSA) to identify how the Yukon can be better prepared to address future emergencies.
CEMA and PHSA have provided essential tools to help the Yukon manage the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent the most severe health impacts over the last two years. The review is an opportunity to strengthen the Yukon’s legislative framework and ensure that the right tools are available to guide coordinated public health and emergency responses in the future.
Air North, Yukon's Airline and Philippine Airlines work to finalize interline agreement
The Government of Yukon welcomes Air North’s work to finalize an interline agreement with Philippine Airlines, which will further strengthen the ties between the Yukon and the Philippines.
Among other benefits, the interline agreement will allow travellers to purchase multiple segments on a single ticket to connect between the two regions. Air North anticipates that the arrangement will be in place by May 1, 2022.
The Yukon and the Philippines sign Memorandum of Understanding on immigration
Today, Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai and Secretary of the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Employment and Protection of Filipinos under the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP).
The MOU improves coordination between the Yukon and the Philippines on labour mobility and specifically:
Accelerated education pathways for early childhood educators
The Yukon’s universal child care system aims to provide all Yukoners with access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care supports. To increase the quality of education across all licensed early learning programs in the territory, Yukon University, with support from the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada, is launching an accelerated education pathway for early childhood educators (ECEs) in April 2022.
Masking and proof of vaccination requirements lifted
Starting today, the Yukon government is lifting the requirement to wear a mask in public spaces and the requirement to show proof of vaccination to access designated settings for people who are 19 years of age or older.
Some settings, such as schools, long-term care centres, health facilities, shelters, group homes, the correctional centre and hospitals are still requiring Yukoners to wear a mask.
Dawson City Mental Wellness Week is underway
The Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Government, the City of Dawson and the Government of Yukon have collaborated to host a mental wellness week in Dawson City.
The Dawson City Mental Wellness Week is providing Dawson residents with an opportunity to talk about their mental wellness experiences in safe spaces, speak with community leaders and learn about support services available to them.
Senior leadership update in the Department of Health and Social Services
Premier Sandy Silver has made senior leadership changes in the Department of Health and Social Services.
Current Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Stephen Samis is leaving the Government of Yukon. On an interim basis, Premier Silver has appointed Ed van Randen as Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, focusing specifically on the delivery of social services.
Michael Hale will continue in his role as Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services focusing on the delivery of health care services and their integration into a new health authority.
The Yukon ends State of Emergency
The Government of Yukon is ending the State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 on Thursday, March 17, at 11:59 p.m.
The State of Emergency was last declared under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA) on November 8, 2021, in response to increased spread of COVID-19 in the Yukon. Public health measures under CEMA have been critical to managing the spread of the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 and protecting the health and safety of all Yukoners.
Macaulay Lodge to be demolished and site redeveloped for housing
A Yukon First Nations business, United North Construction Group, has been awarded an over $800,000 contract to demolish Macaulay Lodge, a former long-term care home in Whitehorse.
The company used tools within the Yukon First Nations Procurement Policy such as bid value reductions for being a Yukon First Nations business and hiring Yukon First Nations labour, which ultimately made them the successful candidate for the demolition contract.
Handy Bus to operate seven days a week
The City of Whitehorse’s Handy Bus service is now available to Yukoners seven days a week.
The Handy Bus provides accessible and safe transportation to people who are unable to use standard transit services. People can book their trip in advance for this scheduled service by calling 867-668-8394.
To increase Handy Bus service to seven days a week in Whitehorse, the Government of Yukon increased the value of its agreement with the City to $247,700 for 2022.
Phase one of new Community Safety Planning program announced
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee announced the Government of Yukon’s new Community Safety Planning program today.
Phase one of the program will be available to Yukon First Nations governments and will provide up to $200,000 to each First Nations government to support local community safety assessments, planning and initiatives.
2027 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee achieves major milestone
This is a joint release with the City of Whitehorse.
The Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse congratulate the Canada Winter Games Bid Committee on reaching the first major milestone in the 13-month process to bring the 2027 Canada Winter Games to Whitehorse.
The committee submitted the technical review information package to the Canada Games Council on March 11. The Technical Review Committee will visit Whitehorse from March 29 to 30, 2022, to conduct a site visit of the venues reviewed in the report.
Joint statement from Minister of Health and Social Services and the acting Chief Medical Officer of Health on the National Day of Observance for COVID-19
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee and acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott have issued the following the following statement:
“Today, marks the National Day of Observance for COVID-19. A day to observe all that has been lost, all that has been missed and a day to pay tribute to all that has been sacrificed.
Yukon First Nations Wildfire’s Warrior Program to provide First Nation youth with critical skills and experiences
This is a joint release with the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations Wildfire
Yukon First Nations Wildfire and the Government of Yukon has launched the Warrior Program that aims to provide First Nations youth with the skills and experience they need to reach their goals and enter the workforce.
Public engagement underway to review Sharing Common Ground
The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Yukon RCMP “M” Division, are reviewing the implementation of the Sharing Common Ground: Review of Yukon’s Police Force that was completed in 2010.
The MMIWG2S+ strategy recommended a review of Sharing Common Ground to assess each recommendation of the report in order to determine what has been successful, what challenges remain and identify any emerging needs.
Twenty-third Yukon resident dies of COVID-19
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting another death of a Yukon resident from COVID-19. This brings the total to 23 since the first death was reported in October 2020.
Out of respect for the individual and their family, no additional information will be released.
Amendments to Miscellaneous Statute Law Act tabled
Minister of Justice Tracy McPhee tabled Bill No. 15 today, entitled the Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2022. The Bill proposes amendments that would correct and update 25 Acts that currently have typos, language errors or outdated names and references. These changes are minor and editorial in nature.
Miscellaneous statute law amendments must be made every few years to reflect changes to other Yukon Acts, federal legislation, international agreements or changes to official names.
Amendments to Legal Profession Act, 2017 tabled
Minister of Justice, Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 14 today, which proposes an amendment to the Legal Profession Act, 2017.
The proposed amendment would correct an administrative issue and allow the Law Society to permit a corporation, incorporated in another jurisdiction, to provide legal services in the Yukon. This proposed legislative change will support the Law Society of Yukon processes and ensure access to legal services for Yukoners.
Private seniors residence to pursue Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities Canada accreditation
Normandy Living, the first private seniors residence in the Yukon, will pursue accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Canada.
Accreditation by CARF Canada would enhance the quality of services at the facility and create an opportunity to make operational and service improvements to support their clients and staff.
Normandy Living is scheduled to open to residents in November 2022 and will fill a gap in the housing market by providing supportive housing for seniors for whom long-term care is not a suitable option.
