Yukon News Releases
September 30, 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, September 30, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 3,402 people.
COVID-19 Testing Centre
From Tuesday, September 22, to Monday, September 28, we tested 157 people at the COVID-19 Testing Centre (CTC) in Whitehorse.
2020 fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2020 fall sitting of the 34th Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 1.
In addition to new Bills to be tabled this fall, four Bills tabled in the spring are scheduled to be debated:
Support for certified training available for Yukon coaches
The Government of Yukon is supporting the continued development of Yukon coaches by covering registration fees for online courses offered by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Between now and the end of 2020, Yukon coaches who take NCCP multi-sport introduction or development courses online can have their registration fees reimbursed. These courses cover topics related to all sports and include such topics as coaching in secondary schools, designing a basic sport program and making ethical decisions.
New water reservoir for Faro
Construction of a new water reservoir in Faro is now complete. With a capacity of 625 cubic metres, the new reservoir replaces an old reservoir constructed in 1971 that was nearing the end of its useful life.
Water storage facilities like reservoirs are essential to keep a town like Faro supplied with clean drinking water. The reservoir buffers community water supply during peak demands, provides redundancy to other reservoirs while they are offline for maintenance, provides additional chlorine contact time for disinfection and provides water for local firefighting purposes.
Have your say on how non-cannabis vapour products should be regulated in Yukon
The Government of Yukon wants to hear from Yukoners about the minimum legal age for access to tobacco and vapour products and how vapour products should be sold, used and promoted. The feedback will inform amendments to the Smoke-Free Places Act.
Non-cannabis vaping has increased across Canada with adolescents reporting the highest levels of vapour product use. More adults are also choosing vaping as a smoking cessation tool.
Yukon Aging in Place Action Plan released
The Government of Yukon has released its Aging in Place Action Plan, which sets the collaborative direction for how governments, community groups, families and individuals can work together to support the health and wellness outcomes of seniors and Elders in the territory.
Government of Yukon announces funding for shingles vaccine
To support Yukoners’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life, the Government of Yukon is publicly funding a shingles vaccine for Yukoners between the ages of 65 and 70, the age at which the vaccine is most effective.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, caused by the same virus as chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, will be publicly funded in Yukon beginning January 1, 2021.
Non-resident tests positive for COVID-19 while in Yukon
An out of territory resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The person has been hospitalized in Whitehorse and they are in a stable condition.
Contact tracing is well under way and all close contacts in Yukon have been contacted by public health officials.
Based on the risk assessment by Yukon Communicable Disease Control, the public health risk associated with this case is low.
Feedback sought on draft Tagish River Habitat Protection Area management plan
The steering committee of the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area, which includes representatives from the Government of Yukon, is inviting users of the area to comment on the draft recommended management plan. This area is important to Carcross/Tagish First Nation people, local residents, recreational users and visitors of the Tagish River.
This draft recommended management plan aims to protect the Tagish River for future generations and to provide a path forward for sustainable use of this culturally and ecologically important area.
Yukon projects receive funding from the Community Development Fund
Eleven community projects across Yukon are receiving $162,040 from the Community Development Fund. The projects promote heritage, culture, sport, recreation and arts projects in six Yukon communities.
Funding recipients include the Village of Carmacks, the Golden Age Society and the Old Crow Development Corporation. The full list of recipients and project details are listed below.
The next deadline to apply for Tier 1 funding, for projects $20,000 and under, is October 15, 2020.
Yukon to remain on permanent time
Yukoners will no longer have to change their clocks twice a year. Starting on November 1, Yukon Standard Time will be permanently seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC -7). The time we are on right now will be the correct time going forward – Yukoners will not be "falling back" this November.
10-year Yukon Parks Strategy released
The Government of Yukon has released the Yukon Parks Strategy, setting long-term direction for Yukon’s territorial parks system from 2020 to 2030.
The strategy provides strategic guidance on how to sustainably deliver the environmental, economic, social and health benefits of Yukon’s network of parks and campgrounds. It will help ensure healthy land, healthy people and a healthy economy.
Major actions in the strategy include:
Yukon Business Relief Program extended
Yukon businesses impacted by COVID-19 will continue to receive support from the Government of Yukon. The Yukon Business Relief Program has been extended until March 31, 2021.
The program has been updated to help businesses in need by including coverage for a broader list of fixed costs and adjusting eligibility for support. Businesses experiencing an operating deficit from August 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, are eligible to apply. The program is open to all Yukon businesses, including home-based businesses.
Funding for Advanced Artist Award doubled
As part of its ongoing effort to respond to the impact of COVID-19 across the arts sector, the Government of Yukon is increasing funding for the annual fall intake of the Advanced Artist Award program from $75,000 to $150,000.
Funded in partnership with Lotteries Yukon, the Advanced Artist Award makes available up to $10,000 for projects and personal artistic development for established artists with a substantial body of publicly exhibited work. Applications are adjudicated through an arm’s length process by a peer jury of fellow Yukon artists.
September 23, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that we have added a clarification to the "Other approved jurisdictions" category.
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, September 23, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 3,211 people.
Respiratory Assessment Centre
Call for applicants to serve on Youth Panel on Climate Change
The Government of Yukon is launching a Youth Panel on Climate Change so youth can share their perspectives and provide advice on how to address climate change.
Yukon youth ages 12 to 25 are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is October 20, 2020.
Panel members will reflect the diversity of Yukon youth and will have a keen interest in supporting others to learn about climate change and take meaningful action.
FireSmart funding helping to build wildfire resilient communities
Forty local government and non-profit groups are receiving a total of $850,000 through Yukon’s FireSmart funding program to remove dangerous forest fuels from areas near their communities.
Municipal and First Nations governments, volunteer fire departments, community associations and a non-profit group are joining forces with the Government of Yukon to improve community wildfire resiliency.
Wildland Fire Management’s new strategic vision includes $1.27 million in new funding for hazard reduction initiatives as well as the creation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
Commissioner of Yukon awards new literary prize
Patti Flather and Leonard Linklater have been presented with the Borealis Prize: The Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Contribution. The Borealis Prize is a new prize for Yukon authors and volunteers who work in the writing community. Patti and Leonard were awarded this prize for their work in founding Gwaandak Theatre and for their contributions to the literary community.
