Yukon News Releases
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Government of Yukon invests in Mayo airport
Please note that this release has been updated to reflect changes in the timeline.
Yukon’s newest certified airport will soon be equipped to handle night flights.
Starting this summer, the Government of Yukon will be installing a modern, energy efficient airfield lighting system, including LED lights and other electrical enhancements, to make the airport useful throughout the long Yukon nights.
Electrical upgrades will include runway edge lights, taxiway and apron edge lights, apron floodlighting, new windsock towers and illuminated guidance signs.
Yukon solar project advanced with new signing
A new electricity purchase agreement for a renewable energy project was signed under the Government of Yukon’s Independent Power Production policy’s Standing Offer Program.
The agreement signed between Yukon Energy and Solvest Inc. commits the utility to purchase the renewable electricity generated by the company’s proposed solar project on the North Klondike Highway for the next 25 years.
Solvest’s 1 megawatt project is the first large-scale solar project in the Whitehorse area and the second independent power producer to sign an electricity purchase agreement in Yukon.
Support program to help Yukoners pay rent extended
Tenants and landlords who are affected by income losses during the COVID-19 pandemic can continue to receive support from the Government of Yukon’s COVID-19 Rent Assist program.
Tenants living in private non-subsidized market rental housing in Yukon who have lost 30 per cent or more of their income due to COVID-19 are eligible for a grant to help cover rent in July, August and September 2020. Eligible households can receive 50 per cent of median market rent based on unit size:
Update on planning for the 2020–21 school year
The Government of Yukon announced preliminary operational and learning planning for Yukon schools for the 2020–21 school year today. These preliminary plans ensure schools follow the health and safety guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
July 8, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveries
As of today, July 8 at 2 p.m., the case count remains at 11 cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,306 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20 and our last case recovered on May 1.
Tower Bay on Dezadeash Lake closed to all fishing
Joint release with Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
The Government of Yukon and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) have put regulations in place to close Tower Bay (Gokhtaheen), located on Dezadeash Lake, to angling and subsistence fishing each year from July 1 to August 15.
Community safety plan developed for Whitehorse Emergency Shelter
A new Community Safety Plan for the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter and surrounding community has been developed with help from Public Safety Canada.
In partnership with key local stakeholders, the Government of Yukon worked with Public Safety Canada and its community safety planning process to develop the plan in the context of the shelter. This process advocates a community-based approach to identify ways to address safety concerns, while remaining focused on serving Yukon’s vulnerable community members.
Non-medical masks now required at all Yukon airports
Please note that this release has been updated to clarify mask usage.
The Government of Yukon has announced new health measures across all Yukon airports effective July 1, 2020. Individuals entering the building or the airport terminal will be required to wear a non-medical mask or face covering. This is in addition to the measures announced by Transport Canada on April 20, 2020.
Yukon’s Visitor Information Centres begin opening for summer season
Visitor Information Centres will begin reopening across the territory July 1.
As Yukon begins welcoming travellers from British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories without a 14-day self-isolation period, Visitor Information Centres will be an important resource for attractions and amenities, as well as community health and safety guidelines. The centres will observe appropriate physical distancing, as well as all current recommended precautions around personal protective equipment and sanitization.
Phase 2 begins July 1, includes eased travel restrictions for Canadian residents
The Government of Yukon and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health released more details today on Phase 2 of Yukon’s plan for safely lifting COVID-19 public health measures. Phase 2 will begin July 1 and includes significant changes to border control measures.
Upgrades begin at Alaska Highway and North Klondike Highway intersection
Construction work to improve traffic flow and user safety has started at the Alaska Highway and North Klondike Highway intersection in Whitehorse.
The work includes widening of the highway with turning lanes off the Alaska Highway and through-traffic lanes, as well as safety upgrades to the road infrastructure. Turning lanes will be installed onto the North Klondike intersection, which will improve road user safety.
New Yukon Resource Gateway Project agreement reached
The Government of Yukon and the Liard First Nation have reached an agreement to upgrade parts of the Robert Campbell Highway. This is the fourth agreement reached as part of the Yukon Resource Gateway Project.
The Project Agreement provides financial support for the participation of Liard First Nation citizens in the proposed construction of improvements from kilometre 114 to 171 on the Robert Campbell Highway between Ross River and Watson Lake.
The project is estimated to cost $50 million.
Road tests to resume in July
The Government of Yukon’s Motor Vehicles Branch will resume offering regular road tests as of July 2.
As Yukon enters Phase 2 of A Path Forward: Yukon’s plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, regular driver testing will resume three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday.
To access testing for Class 1 to 5 licences, drivers are required to:
June 24, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, June 24, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,265 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Border controls to be eased
Nomination period for Council of the Federation Literacy Award open until end of June
The nomination period for the 2020 Council of the Federation Literacy Award has been extended and will remain open until Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award honours educators, practitioners, volunteers, First Nations programs, community organizations and businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in adult literacy and are helping Yukon adults develop their literacy skills.
A statement from the Government of Yukon on National Indigenous Peoples Day
Premier Sandy Silver issued the following statement for National Indigenous Peoples Day:
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day, an important opportunity to celebrate the rich histories, cultures and traditional knowledge of Yukon First Nations and Indigenous groups across Canada.
First Nations truly are the heart and soul of many Yukon communities. This day gives us the chance to recognize their diversity of achievements and ongoing contributions to the vibrant cultural fabric of our territory.
Final phase of the F.H. Collins track and field underway
The new running track at F.H. Collins will be closed starting June 23, 2020 while the surface is rubberized. This is the final phase of the F.H. Collins track and field project. Work is expected to be complete so that the track is ready for the 2020–21 school year.
Closing the track at this time of year will result in the shortest possible closure. The rubber requires that overnight temperatures stay above 10 degrees Celsius in order for the track to set. The public is asked to stay away from the track during this time to allow for proper installation.
Amendments to the Corrections Act and Regulations come into force
Amendments to Yukon’s Corrections Act and Corrections Regulations to address segregation and restrictive confinement within Yukon Corrections will come into force on June 19, 2020.
The amendments provide a clearer and more comprehensive framework to govern the use of segregation and restrictive confinement. They also establish new independent external oversight and accountability measures for the use of segregation in Yukon’s corrections system.
Government of Yukon provides more than $1.6 million in funding to territorial sport and recreation
The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Lottery Commission and Sport Canada, today announced $1,633,365 in funding to territorial sport organizations, special recreation groups, athletes and officials.
This funding will help Yukon sport organizations organize and run activities related to sport development, leadership development and facility operations and maintenance. It also offers support to individual athletes and officials who have demonstrated they are at a high or elite performance level.
The funding includes:
June 17, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, June 17, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count remains at 11 in the territory. All of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered. There are no active cases in the territory and 1,245 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Full dental services to resume in Yukon
