Yukon News Releases
Statement on the release of the report on Mental Health Services in Rural Yukon by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“The release today of the Report on Mental Health Services in Rural Yukon by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) is welcome news for our government, and for the territory.
Four new COVID-19 cases confirmed; outbreak identified at mine site
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms four new cases of COVID-19, including three new confirmed cases at the Victoria Gold Mine Site. This is the first report of cases at a mine site.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations leaders reconfirm their commitment to collaboration at the Yukon Forum
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments
Today, Premier Sandy Silver and his Cabinet, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and the Yukon First Nations Chiefs met for the first Yukon Forum of 2021. The leaders discussed their joint priorities for the coming years and reconfirmed their commitment to advancing these priorities through the Yukon Forum and its working groups, guided by the 2017 Working Together Declaration.
Partners to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement release a joint statement in response to the suspension of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Today, Representatives of the parties to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement, including the governments of Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Vuntut Gwitchin, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Game Council came together to respond to the June 1 decision by the US Department of Interior to suspend oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (the Refuge) pending completion of new, comprehensive analysis of environmental impacts.
Yukon Advisory Committee recognizes release of the National Action Plan to End Violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
Joint news release with the Yukon Advisory Committee on MMIWG2S+
The Yukon Advisory Committee (YAC) is marking the release of the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan on the two-year anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (MMIWG2S+): Reclaiming Power and Place.
Improving school zone safety in Whitehorse
Please note the first quote is from Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna.
This is a joint news release with the Government of Canada and the City of Whitehorse.
FireSmart funding program helps 36 groups build wildfire-resilient communities
Municipal and First Nations governments, volunteer fire departments, community associations and non-profits across the Yukon are joining forces with the Government of Yukon’s FireSmart funding program to improve community wildfire resiliency.
Over the coming year, 36 groups will receive a total of $1.1 million in FireSmart funding to remove forest fuels from areas near their communities. The Government of Yukon is investing $850,000 through the FireSmart funding program, and the Government of Canada’s Emergency Management Assistance Program is contributing a further $250,000.
June 2, 2021: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveriesAs of Wednesday, June 1, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 84. Eighty-two people have recovered, two people have died and there are no active cases in Yukon. We have tested 7,567 people.
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold with the Commissioner
This summer, join the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard in commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold in Yukon. The Commissioner’s office has organized the following activities:
Exhibit at the Taylor HouseOn June 1, an exhibit of photos and articles from the Discovery of Gold in Yukon will be on display on the second floor of the Taylor House, 412 Main Street in Whitehorse. The exhibit is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are mandatory while inside the Taylor House.
Final report on inclusive and special education released in ceremony
The final report of the review of Inclusive and special education in the Yukon was released in ceremony today at the Haa Shagóon Hídi (Learning Centre) in Carcross.
Ministers, Chiefs, Elders and members of First Nations Education Commission and the Advisory Committee for Yukon Education gathered in-person with school communities joining remotely via livestream to honour and acknowledge the stories shared as part of the review and to begin to work on next steps.
First sitting of 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly concludes
Today, the first sitting of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly concluded. The Assembly opened with a Speech from the Throne outlining the government’s priorities for its new mandate.
New works added to Yukon Permanent Art Collection after enhanced call for submissions
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce 21 new works of art have been selected for the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
The new acquisitions include work from Yukon artists Brenda Lee Asp, Luann Baker-Johnson, Emma Barr, Karen Bien, Faye Chamberlain, Marla Charlie, Cécile Girard, Joshua Lesage, Peter Mather, Lena Moon, Randi Nelson, Barb Pratt, Mark Preston, Martha Jane Ritchie, Ramon Joseph Santos, Doug Smarch Jr., Karen Thomas, Donald Watt and Justien Senoa Wood.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the discovery of children’s remains at Kamloops Indian Residential School
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“I mourn with Yukoners after the remains of 215 children were discovered on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on May 27th. This devastating discovery reinforces Canada’s historic and ongoing struggle with systemic racism.
Members of Yukon’s Emergency Medical Services team receive Governor General Award
This morning, Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard awarded the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal to 10 members of the Yukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.
The Commissioner and award recipients were joined by Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Yukon EMS management, members of Yukon EMS’s allied partner agencies at the Fire Marshal’s Office, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Whitehorse Fire Department, as well as their friends and families.
New Yukon Hospital Corporation Board chair named
The Government of Yukon has named Al Lucier as the chair of the Yukon Hospital Corporation Board of Trustees effective June 1, 2021. Lucier will replace previous Chair Brian Gillen whose term expires on May 31, 2021. Lucier has been appointed for a three-year term. As Chair Lucier will continue to oversee the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government of Yukon donates $25,000 towards COVID-19 relief in India
Today, the Government of Yukon announced a donation to the Canadian Red Cross to support COVID-19 response efforts in India. A donation of $25,000 will be directed to the Indian Red Cross to support relief efforts and help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donations to the Red Cross support the procurement of essential supplies and medicines, including oxygen cylinders for clinics and ambulances.
The Yukon extends State of Emergency
As of today, the Government of Yukon is extending the State of Emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA).
By extending the State of Emergency, the Government of Yukon remains able to adapt to potential rapid changes in the COVID-19 situation, including monitoring the third wave in Canada and reviewing emerging data on variant spread to inform our decisions.
The State of Emergency will be extended for up to 90 days and can be cancelled at any time.
2021 is the year of the Great Yukon Summer
Please note the release has been updated to reflect that it is a minimum of $250,000 that will be available through the On Yukon Time: Great Yukon Summer Edition funding program.
With new incentives for Yukoners to explore the world-class opportunities in their own backyard, 2021 is the year of the Great Yukon Summer.
Housing Initiatives Fund supports eight new affordable housing projects
The fourth intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund (HIF) will support eight more shovel-ready housing projects over the next two years as well as four housing project development concepts.
The selected projects will support 102 new affordable housing units for Yukoners in Dawson City, Teslin, Watson Lake, Lake Laberge and Whitehorse. These units will be below median market rent for 20 years.
