Yukon News Releases
November 20, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 29 cases.
Cases 27, 28 and 29 have been linked to previous cases. The case investigation is underway and Yukon Communicable Disease Control is reaching out to contacts.
An additional public exposure notice has been issued.
Twenty-three groups receive funding to support marginalized youth
The backgrounder section in this news release has been updated.
Yukon youth will benefit from nearly $89,000 awarded to 23 community groups through the Youth Investment Fund. Groups receive funding for a variety of arts, recreation and educational programming, including horseback riding, cycling and a teen mentoring program.
The Youth Investment Fund provided $89,000 in 2020 for short-term projects allocated in two intakes. The funding is aimed at marginalized youth under 19 years of age who have fewer opportunities or who may experience discrimination.
November 18, 2020: COVID-19 update
This news release has been updated to clarify that the requirements start at 5 p.m.
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expansion of self-isolation requirements
As of 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, everyone other than critical services workers entering Yukon will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. This includes residents of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
November 18, 2020: COVID-19 public health notification issued for Whitehorse
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed a new case of COVID-19 in Whitehorse, bringing the territory’s total to 26 cases.
Investigation into the original source of exposure for this case is ongoing. Yukon Communicable Disease Control is leading this work and has been actively reaching out to all contacts.
Public exposure notices have been issued.
November 17, 2020: 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 recoveries
As of today, November 17, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 25. Twenty-two people have recovered and there are currently two active cases. A new case announced today is linked to a previous case. Yukoners are encouraged to check the public health notification.
COVID-19 public health notification issued for Whitehorse
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has confirmed a new case of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 25 cases.
The additional case is linked to a previous case. The case investigation is underway and Yukon Communicable Disease Control has reached most of the contacts. A public exposure notice has been issued.
New approach to Yukon agriculture land leases a local food success
More Yukoners will have access to more locally raised pork as the result of an innovative seasonal lease arrangement. Lastraw Ranch of Bear Creek, Dawson raised pigs for the food market this past season on already-mined sections of a neighbour’s placer claim.
Fourth Housing Initiatives Fund to support affordable housing opens
The fourth intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund launched on November 16, 2020 to support the construction of affordable housing for Yukoners across the territory.
This call for projects includes three streams: one for shovel ready projects in Whitehorse, one for shovel ready projects in communities and one for project concepts. First Nations governments, First Nations Development Corporations, developers, contractors, community organizations and the general public can apply for funding to support projects that will increase affordable housing options in their community.
COVID-19 public health notifications issued for Whitehorse
Yukon Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott today confirmed a new case of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 24 cases since the first infection was announced on March 22, 2020.
The case investigation is underway and the Yukon Communicable Disease Centre has reached most of the contacts.
People who have been at the following locations and who have symptoms are asked to get tested.
Centre scolaire secondaire communautaire Paul-Émile Mercier opens doors to students
Joint news release with the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon.
The doors of Centre scolaire secondaire communautaire Paul-Émile Mercier (CSSC Mercier) will open to students on November 13, 2020.
Construction of CSSC Mercier, the new French First Language Secondary School Community Centre in Whitehorse, started in spring 2019 and was completed in September 2020. The new school features modernized, flexible learning spaces for French First Language secondary students, including a gymnasium and other spaces for learning and community use.
Statement from Minister of Environment Pauline Frost on a potential permit for exploration work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Following the conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an exploration project is now being proposed in the area. As a part of the permitting process there was a two-week window for public comment that closed on November 6, 2020. The Government of Yukon has provided comments, identifying that the mitigations proposed, with respect to Porcupine caribou, are inadequate.
Funding doubled for annual call for submissions to Yukon Permanent Art Collection
Please note that the additional arts funding amount, to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the territory’s arts sector, has been updated.
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce an enhanced 2020–2021 call for submissions to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s budget for acquisitions has increased to $60,000 from $30,000. The increase will help support artists who live and create work in Yukon in this time of lost revenue and uncertainty.
2020–21 School Year Education program update
Grades 10 to 12 students in Whitehorse will remain on their current schedule for the second semester to ensure the three larger Whitehorse high schools continue to meet the health and safety guidelines developed by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
November 10, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that this news release has been updated to provide more clarity about travellers’ isolation period and sharing space within a household.
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 recoveries
As of today, November 10, at 9 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 23. Twenty-one people have recovered and there is currently one active case.
COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
Leave for domestic and sexualized violence coming to Yukon
Bill No. 10, which amends the Employment Standards Act to provide access to paid and unpaid leave for victims of domestic or sexualized violence received assent in the Yukon Legislative Assembly today.
Conversion therapy banned in Yukon
Bill No. 9, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act received assent today and is now in force. The Act bans conversion therapy in Yukon, supporting the government’s commitment to inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit plus Yukoners (LGBTQ2S+).
Can Do Farm’s Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne are Yukon’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020
The Government of Yukon and the agricultural community have chosen Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne of Can Do Farm as Yukon’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020.
From a start in hay production, Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne have grown their operation over the years into raising and selling cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys on their Can Do Farm properties in the Ibex valley outside Whitehorse.
New support for Yukon’s aviation industry
Yukon’s aviation sector will receive more than $7 million dollars in support to continue providing essential services to and from the territory and its remote communities. The second phase of aviation support includes funding from the federal government to address the unique needs of remote communities in the North.
Burbot catch limit decreases in some Yukon lakes
To ensure the sustainability of the burbot harvest, a regulation change will come into effect on December 1, 2020, to reduce the catch limit in smaller Yukon lakes to three per day and six in possession.
November 4, 2020: 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 recoveries
As of today, November 4, at 11 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 23. Twenty people have recovered and there are currently two active cases. Contact tracing remains underway.
COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
