Yukon News Releases
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.
Liard First Nation Language Department receives literacy award
The Liard First Nation Language Department is this year’s recipient of Yukon’s Council of the Federation Literacy Award. This award recognizes the contributions of the Liard First Nation Language Department to literacy in the territory, and to the body of literature and language materials for Yukon First Nations languages in general and for the Kaska language in particular. Premier Sandy Silver presented the award to the Language Department today in Watson Lake.
Expanded rebates for renewable home heating now available
Good Energy rebates for heat pumps, an efficient renewable heating system for homes, are now available.
Heat pumps extract heat from the outside air or ground and push it into a building. This process allows a heat pump to significantly reduce energy use for heating. Cold climate heat pumps are able to extract heat from even very cold air and are proven to be more efficient than traditional heating systems down to -25°C.
Homeowners can receive rebates covering 40 per cent of project costs, up to a maximum of $8,000 for a new air or ground source heat pump.
Review of inclusive and special education in Yukon extended
The Government of Yukon is extending the review of inclusive and special education into the 2020–21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension will provide more time and opportunities to safely connect and gather perspectives on these programs and services.
Engagement opportunities with families, educators, school communities, partners and Yukon First Nations originally planned for April and May 2020 are being rescheduled for this fall. The extended engagement opportunities include:
September 16, 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 16, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 3,020 people.
Permanent funding for glucose monitors available to adult Yukoners
Yukoners over 18 years of age with type 1 diabetes will have access to fully-funded flash glucose monitors, starting October 1, 2020.
Glucose monitors can help individuals living with type 1 diabetes to better monitor their glucose levels.
Yukon is the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors to individuals 18 years of age and younger, and joins Ontario and Quebec in providing coverage for flash glucose monitors.
Passengers at Whitehorse airport to begin using separate baggage drop-off
The Government of Yukon is working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to upgrade the baggage handling system at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport. During construction, passengers will be required to bring their baggage through the terminal to a separate baggage drop-off after check-in. This temporary system will be in place starting September 15, 2020, until the end of February 2021 at which time passengers can return to checking their bags as usual.
Climate change, energy and green economy strategy for Yukon announced
Today the Government of Yukon released Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy. The strategy includes 131 actions the Government of Yukon will take to address the impacts of climate change while building a green economy and ensuring Yukoners can access reliable, affordable and renewable energy over the next decade.
Coming together for caribou
Partners to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement gathered on September 3, 2020, to respond to the Record of Decision on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and reaffirm our commitment to conserving the Porcupine caribou herd and its habitat.
Together, the parties released this statement:
“We do not believe the selected alternative in the Record of Decision is sustainable for Porcupine caribou.
Government of Yukon seeks feedback on COVID-19 impacts to non-profit societies
This news release has been updated. To obtain more information, or obtain a copy of the survey, contact the email address or phone number listed below.
As part of its response to the impacts of COVID-19, the Government of Yukon is conducting a survey of Yukon’s non-profit societies to gain a better understanding of economic and operational pressures related to the pandemic.
Yukon extending state of emergency to maintain response to COVID-19
Please note that the formatting of the list of repealed Ministerial Orders has been corrected.
The Government of Yukon is extending the state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA). The extension will allow the Ministerial Orders issued under CEMA to remain in place to continue to support and protect Yukoners, including the Health Protection Order.
Premier Sandy Silver statement on the passing of Elder Stephen Frost Sr.
On behalf of the Government of Yukon and my Cabinet colleagues, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies on the passing of Yukon Elder Stephen Frost Sr.
Mr. Frost was an active and knowledgeable member of his community and a respected Vuntut Gwitchin Elder.
Support for a positive culture in Yukon workplaces
The Government of Yukon has approved a new regulation aimed at preventing violence and harassment, two serious workplace hazards. The regulation will help to foster a positive culture in the workplace as well as physical and psychological safety for Yukon workers.
Yukoners’ access to routine glaucoma care now streamlined
Changes to Yukon’s Optometrists Regulation will now allow optometrists in the territory to treat glaucoma patients without first referring them to an ophthalmologist.
This change, effective immediately, will support quality and efficient care by aligning what Yukon optometrists practice with the training Canadian optometrists currently receive in glaucoma management. Under the change, optometrists must still refer glaucoma patients to ophthalmologists when necessary, for example, in the care of complex cases or if a case is worsening.
School bus routes being updated
School bus routes are being updated which may effect existing pick-up times for some students.
Updated bus routes will be posted on Yukon.ca by the end of the workday on Friday, September 4. Updated bus routes will take effect on Tuesday, September 8.
