Yukon News Releases
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.
July 23, 2021: COVID-19 public exposure notification
Yukon Medical Health Officer Dr. Jesse Kancir has issued a public exposure notice for the 9:30 a.m. Air North flight from Vancouver to Whitehorse on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were on the following flight:
July 23, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon Medical Health Officer Dr. Jesse Kancir is reporting nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Thursday, July 22 and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 77.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 551; 483 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 22, there are nine confirmed cases:
Canada and Yukon announce major expansion of $10 a day child care
This is a joint release with the Government of Canada.
Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Yet, too many families across Canada lack access to affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care. The global COVID-19 pandemic has also made it clear that without access to child care, too many parents – especially women – cannot fully participate in the workforce.
Yukon municipalities improve recreational facilities with Canada Community-Building Fund
Five municipalities are investing nearly $3.5 million of their portions of the Canada Community-Building Fund to upgrade existing recreational facilities in the Yukon.
Update on August 1 increase to minimum wage
The Government of Yukon is providing an update today to its commitment to increase the minimum wage to $15.20 an hour on August 1, 2021, and to subsequent annual increases tied to inflation. The government spoke to the commitment to increase the minimum wage in the Speech from the Throne on May 11, 2021.
July 22, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 72.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 542; 474 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 21, there are seven confirmed cases:
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the passing of former Yukon Commissioner Jack Cable
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“Today, my colleagues and I were very sad to learn of the passing of former Commissioner of the Yukon Jack Cable.
“Before becoming the Yukon’s 34th Commissioner, Jack represented the former Riverside riding for eight years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and also served as the President of the Yukon Energy Corporation. He was a mentor to me and several other MLAs and was known for his depth of knowledge, compassionate approach and strong leadership.
Past Commissioner Jack Cable remembered
The Office of the Commissioner of Yukon is saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Cable, former Commissioner of Yukon.
Ivan John (Jack) Cable Q.C., was born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 17, 1934. Cable earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at McMaster University and after working as a chemical engineer for 9 years, he obtained a Law Degree from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario bar in 1970.
Government of Canada invests in more Whitehorse rental housing
This is a joint release with the Government of Canada.
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse, Whitehorse residents will now have access to more rental housing options.
July 21, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 66.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 534; 465 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 20, there are seven confirmed cases:
Additional COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted as vaccine rate increases
As Yukon’s active case count continues to decline and vaccination rates increase in the territory and across Canada, Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has provided new recommendations regarding public health measures in place to protect Yukoners from COVID-19.
Location of supervised consumption site confirmed
Plans for Yukon’s first supervised consumption site are underway. The facility will be located at 6189 6th Avenue in Whitehorse, a central, accessible location that will meet the needs of clients. The existing government-owned building is being renovated to accommodate the requirements of a supervised consumption site.
In the coming weeks, the Yukon government will be engaging with residents, local businesses, First Nations governments and non-governmental organizations about the importance of the new facility.
July 20, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Monday, July 19, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 65.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 527; 458 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 19, there are five confirmed cases:
July 19, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Friday, July 16, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 76.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 522; 453 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 16, there are 20 confirmed cases:
