Yukon News Releases
Changes to Occupational Health and Safety Regulations come into force to improve workplace safety cultures
Last year the Government of Yukon approved changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations that come into force on September 4, 2021.
These changes provide Yukon workers and employers with the tools they need to prevent workplace violence and harassment as well as to support the psychological injuries that result from these kinds of incidents. They also make hazard assessment in general clearer and easier to understand, which will enable workplaces to be safer and healthier.
Third survey on learning during the pandemic finds most feeling safe and informed
The Government of Yukon is sharing the feedback collected from students, families and school staff about their perspectives and experiences on learning, health and safety and mental health during the last half of the 2020–21 school year.
Among key findings from the recent survey, most students, families and school staff said they feel safe and informed when asked about the health and safety measures at their school.
August 25, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has reported two new cases of COVID-19 between noon Monday, August 23, to noon Tuesday, August 24. There are no new cases being reported from noon Tuesday, August 24, to noon today. The number of active cases is currently at 36.
The Yukon forges ahead, ends COVID-19 state of emergency
The state of emergency declared on March 27, 2020, in response to COVID-19 will end today at 11:59 p.m. as the Yukon continues to shift away from an emergency response to the pandemic and towards the ongoing reality of managing and living with the virus.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver offers congratulations to Yukoners at Tokyo Paralympics
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“I would like to extend my wholehearted congratulations to Stephanie Dixon and Jessica Frotten who will represent the Yukon and Canada at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
“I know Stephanie Dixon will do an amazing job in her key role as Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the Games. Through her extensive experience as an athlete at previous Paralympics, as well as her background in coaching and mentoring, I am confident she will lead our national team to a successful and rewarding Games.
August 24, 2021: public exposure notification
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has issued a public exposure notice for the 10:05 a.m. Air North flight from Edmonton to Whitehorse on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were on the following flight:
New Innovation Commission to support local entrepreneurs
A new Innovation Commission has been formed to provide technical and professional input on the development of a five-year innovation strategy to expand opportunities for local entrepreneurs, diversify the economy and create jobs.
The volunteer working group will advise on topics such as attracting start-ups, building a digital ecosystem, and fostering innovation and sharing networks across communities. The Commission will also provide input on challenges to establishing innovative businesses, practices and products in the territory.
August 23, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting seven confirmed new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Friday, August 20, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 41.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 681; 624 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in the Yukon and probable cases. Out of territory individuals who are diagnosed in the Yukon are counted in the active count but not in the Yukon total case count as they are counted in their home jurisdiction.
Updated Huchá Hudän/Fort Selkirk Historic Site Management Plan in place
Last Friday, the Government of Yukon and the Selkirk First Nation signed the updated Huchá Hudän Fort Selkirk Historic Site Management Plan at a ceremony held at the site.
Revised health and safety guidelines now online for 2021–22 school year
Health and safety guidelines are now online as Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Whitehorse prepare for a near-normal return to school on Monday, August 23, 2021.
The Department of Education has worked closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) and the COVID-19 Response Unit to finalize these guidelines for the upcoming school year, while keeping some measures in place to ensure schools remain a low-risk setting.
Key updates:
August 20, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Thursday, August 19, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 52.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 674; 614 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in the Yukon and probable cases. Out of territory individuals who are diagnosed in the Yukon are counted in the active count but not in the Yukon total case count as they are counted in their home jurisdiction.
September 30 now a federal holiday for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On June 3, 2021, Government of Canada’s Bill C-5 received Royal Assent, providing federal employees with the day off on September 30.
Today, the Government of Yukon is announcing it will mark September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Those working in federally regulated workplaces in the Yukon and Yukon government employees will not be required to be at work on September 30. Schools will be closed across the territory.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the passing of Hereditary Chief Glenn Grady
Premier of the Yukon Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“The loss of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Hereditary Chief Glenn Richard Grady (Keish) is deeply felt.
“Glenn was an essential member of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and had a profound influence on his community. He was a driving force in re-establishing Ta’an Kwäch’än Council as a distinct First Nation, working tirelessly from the time they held their first meeting on February 14,1987.
Forging Ahead: The Yukon’s Continuing Response to COVID-19
The Government of Yukon has released Forging Ahead, a framework outlining the Yukon’s ongoing response to the pandemic as it begins its transition from pandemic to endemic. The approach focuses on living with COVID-19 while managing and containing future cases, clusters and outbreaks within the territory. The purpose of this plan is to provide guidance as the Yukon moves forward and as Yukoners begin to adapt to living with the risk of COVID-19.
Coroners Act and regulations come into force
This is a joint release with the Yukon Coroner’s Service.
The new Coroners Act came into force today, providing modern legislation that will allow the Yukon Coroner’s Service to continue to serve Yukoners by performing timely and compassionate coroner investigations in the Yukon.
The new Act includes:
August 18, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 47. Dr. Catherine Elliott confirms that one out of territory resident and one Yukoner have been confirmed to have the Delta variant. The case investigations on these two cases are complete and their contacts are isolating. One person with the Delta variant is in hospital. There are no exposure events within the Yukon associated with these cases.
August 17, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting 13 new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Friday, August 13, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 40.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 660; 600 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in the Yukon and probable cases. Out of territory individuals who are diagnosed in the Yukon are counted in the active count but not in the Yukon total case count as they are counted in their home jurisdiction.
Yukon firefighters deployed to British Columbia to support challenging wildfire response
The Government of Yukon has sent 40 wildland firefighters and four supervisory staff to support British Columbia’s ongoing wildfire response. The crews left the Yukon for Kamloops, B.C., on Monday, August 16, for a 19-day deployment.
By helping to respond to wildfires in B.C., Wildland Fire Management is balancing its responsibility to protect Yukon communities from wildland fire and flood risk with the opportunity to support the territory’s neighbours. B.C. has often provided wildfire response support to the Yukon.
The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon announce extension of support for quality early learning and child care across the territory
Joint release with the Government of Canada
The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon have reached an agreement on an extension to the Canada–Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
