Yukon News Releases
November 26, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 42 cases. There are six new recoveries and 12 active cases in Yukon.
Two cases are in Whitehorse and the third is in a rural community:
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru extended
Drive-thru testing will be extended for two weeks at the Centennial Motors wash bay location with further extension at a possible new location into 2021. Testing and contract tracing remain a critical part of the Government of Yukon’s management of COVD-19 in the territory. With a growing demand for testing, the Government of Yukon responded quickly to launch the new testing centre to increase testing capacity.
Largest Whitehorse land lottery includes residential and commercial lots
Minister of Community Services John Streicker and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and of Economic Development Ranj Pillai were joined by City of Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis today to launch the largest ever lottery and tender of lots in Whitehorse.
Leede Jones Gable identifies Yukon’s mining industry as a good investment
A Canadian-based investment company looking for socially-conscious investment opportunities is focusing on Yukon. Leede Jones Gable has identified Yukon as a potential top-tier mining jurisdiction with significant potential for long-term sustainable investments, commonly referred to as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments.
Statement from Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley regarding daycares
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has issued the following statement.
We have received confirmation that an employee of a daycare in Whitehorse has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is self-isolating and recovering well at home. The families of the children who had contact with the employee have been contacted directly by Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) and instructed to self-isolate through the morning of December 1, 2020. The owner has chosen to close the daycare until November 30, 2020.
Fifth Yukon Resource Gateway Project agreement reached
The Government of Yukon and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation have reached a Project Agreement to upgrade three bridges along the Freegold Road. The Project Agreement provides funding for Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation to effectively participate in the planning, design, regulatory processes and construction activities of the project.
Yukon Essential Workers Income Support Program extended
The Yukon Essential Workers Income Support Program has been extended to February 15, 2021. The program provides low-income essential workers with a wage top-up of up to $4.00 per hour for 16 weeks. All services identified as critical or essential in the Guidelines for the delivery of critical, essential and other services are eligible.
November 24, 2020: COVID-19 update
The new self-isolation rules have been added to this news release.
The airline, Air Canada, for Flight 111 on November 7, has been corrected.
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
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru opens
This release has been updated. The drive-thru COVID-19 service will be available until Saturday, November 28, 2020.
A drive-thru COVID-19 screening service opened in Whitehorse on Sunday, November 22, 2020. The drive-thru is located at Centennial Motors, 91628 Alaska Highway, in the wash bay.
Drive-thru testing will help meet the increased demand for testing. It will be used for people with COVID-19 symptoms, providing an easier and more convenient way for them to get tested.
November 23, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
The active case count number has been corrected from 10 to 14.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 38 cases. There are currently 14 active cases in Yukon.
Five of the new cases are linked to a previous case while one is still under investigation. Yukon Communicable Disease Control is reaching out to contacts.
These new cases represent three separate clusters and outbreaks.
Fortymile caribou herd winter harvest opportunity opens
The Government of Yukon will open a licensed threshold harvest on the Fortymile caribou herd for Yukon resident hunters, starting December 1, 2020. The harvest will be open until March 31, 2021, or when the threshold limit of 300 caribou is met, whichever happens sooner. Hunters can see the latest harvest numbers.
November 21, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 32 cases.
Cases 30 and 31 have been linked to previous cases while case 32 is related to out-of-territory travel. The case investigation is underway and Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) is reaching out to contacts.
An additional public exposure notice is now issued for an already identified location:
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.
