Yukon News Releases
Construction contract awarded for Whistle Bend elementary school
Work on the first new Whitehorse elementary school in more than two decades continues to move forward. The Government of Yukon has awarded a $42.8 million design-build contract to Whitehorse-based Ketza Construction Corporation for the new school in Whistle Bend, to be located at the corner of Olive May Way and Casca Boulevard.
Yukon planning near-normal return to school for K-12 students
The Government of Yukon is planning a near-normal return to school for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in the 2021–22 school year, with some measures continuing to keep schools a low-risk setting.
The Department of Education is working closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health to ensure health and safety guidelines align with the current risks of the day. Updated guidelines will be available in the coming days.
Key updates:
Self-isolation and mandatory masking will be lifted as of August 4, 2021
As Yukon’s active case count continues to decline and vaccination rates increase in the territory and across Canada, the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has provided new recommendations regarding public health measures in place to protect Yukoners from COVID-19. Effective August 4, the Yukon government will lift some public health restrictions.
August 3, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting seven new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Monday, August 2, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 61.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 610; 548 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.
August 2, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting one additional death from COVID-19 and seven new cases of COVID-19 from 12 p.m. Friday, July 30 to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 60.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 603; 541 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.
The Yukon retains ‘AA Stable’ credit rating from S&P Global Ratings for 2021
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed the Yukon’s strong financial position with an AA Stable credit rating and a stable outlook.
August 1, 2021: public exposure notification
The Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has issued a public exposure notice for the 10 a.m. Air Canada flight from Whitehorse to Vancouver on Friday, July 23, 2021.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were on the following flight:
July 30, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting seven new cases and one probable case of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Thursday, July 29, and 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 78.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 596; 534 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.
July 29, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting one additional death from COVID-19 and seven new cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, to 12 p.m. today. The number of active cases is currently at 80.
Minimum wage increasing to $15.20 per hour on August 1
Effective August 1, 2021, Yukon’s minimum wage will increase to $15.20 per hour and future annual increases will be tied to inflation, as calculated using the Consumer Price Index.
These changes fulfil a commitment made by the Government in the April 2021 Confidence and Supply Agreement and come after Cabinet accepted an order from the Employment Standards Board.
Employees and employers who have questions about the increase can contact the Employment Standards Office at 867-667-5944 or eso@yukon.ca.
Major investments continue for North Klondike Highway upgrades
The North Klondike Highway continues to see strategic investments with $180 million in funding announced today by Canada’s Minister of Transportation Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell and Yukon’s Minister of Highways and Public Works Nils Clarke.
July 28, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
For the first time since June 5, the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours. The number of active cases is continuing to trend downward with the current active case count at 77.
Youth vaccine eligibility expands as mobile clinics return to Yukon communities
As immunizers continue to support rural Yukon communities and health centre staff by returning this week to run COVID-19 vaccine clinics, the eligibility for youth for the vaccine has now been expanded.
Anyone born in 2009, even if they have not yet turned 12 years old, is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. This is an important step before students start returning to school.
July 27, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Monday, July 26, and 12 p.m. today. For the first time in a week, there are more recoveries than new cases and this brings the active case count to 89.
Funding for Great Yukon Summer events awarded
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce the recipients of the Great Yukon Summer edition of the On Yukon Time events funding program.
As part of the government’s ongoing commitment to assist Yukon businesses and organizations with COVID-19 impacts and recovery, a total of $500,000 in funding was made available to help develop, adapt and expand the reach of Yukon festivals, events and other summer activities.
This funding was distributed through two channels:
Innovative and Renewable Energy Initiative expanded to support more community projects
The Government of Yukon is extending and expanding the Innovative and Renewable Energy Initiative with changes that will make the fund more accessible and reduce the territory’s reliance on fossil fuels. The popular initiative will also receive $1 million in additional annual funding, bringing the total to $2.5 million per year, to support more small-scale First Nation and community-led renewable electricity and heat generation projects.
Construction of Dempster Fibre Line underway
The Government of Yukon has broken ground on the Dempster Fibre Line project.
ROHL Global Networks, in partnership with Dagoo Services, was awarded the $67 million construction contract. More than 20 per cent of the contract value will be subcontracted to First Nations businesses. Crews are on site near Dawson City and officially started construction work on July 15.
July 26, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr. Brendan Hanley is reporting 28 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Friday, July 23, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 90.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 579; 513 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. July 23, there are 28 confirmed cases.
Supporting communities across the Yukon
This is a joint release with the Government of Canada.
The health and safety of all Canadians are top priorities for the Government of Canada. Communities across the country are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable. That is why the Government of Canada is taking decisive action to support communities and stabilize the economy.
