Yukon News Releases
Face-to-face classes on track to resume for 2020–21 school year
The Government of Yukon is planning for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students to return to classes in school at the start of the 2020–21 school year.
As part of A Path Forward: Yukon’s plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, initial health and safety guidance for Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools has been developed with Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health to start planning for changes to the operations of Yukon schools for the 2020–21 school year. Health and safety guidelines will be developed before the start of the 2020–21 school year.
Wind River Hospice House now open
Opening today, Wind River Hospice House in Whistle Bend Place enables individuals with a life-limiting illness to live in safety and comfort until end of life.
The new palliative care services are for individuals with progressive, life-limiting illnesses who cannot or do not wish to be supported to die in their home. Health care professionals working at the Wind River House will include physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual caregivers, support staff and volunteers. They will work together to coordinate care along with Yukon's community care partners.
Free Independent Legal Advice program launched
A new legal advice program is now available to support Yukoners.
The Independent Legal Advice program provides free legal advice and information for victims of intimate partner violence and/or sexualized assault, including those who do not wish to report their experience to the RCMP.
June 5, 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 5, 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 1,201 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Updated guidance for critical and essential service workers released
Government of Yukon announces recipients of annual sport awards
The Government of Yukon is recognizing the accomplishments of Yukon’s sport community in 2019 with the announcement of the Celebration of Sport Excellence awards.
Applications for Special Guide Licence lottery to open June 5
Yukon resident hunters can apply for a Special Guide Licence (SGL) from June 5 to 18, 2020.
A Yukon resident with a valid big game hunting licence who obtains an SGL may guide a non-resident Canadian hunter for moose, caribou or bison. They may also apply for weighting only, which will improve their chances in future SGL lotteries.
Support for restaurants announced
Restaurants and other businesses with a liquor licence are receiving support from the Government of Yukon. Liquor licensees will now receive a discount of 25 per cent off the retail price for liquor. This discount will be applied for the duration of restrictions requiring restaurants to open at half their usual capacity, which began on May 29.
Alaska Highway Safety Improvement contract awarded to local company
Cobalt Construction of Whitehorse has been awarded a $10.8 million contract to make safety improvements along the Alaska Highway between Lodestar Lane and Burns Road.
This summer, a signalized intersection will be built at the Hillcrest intersection to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The contract also includes a new paved multi-use trail along the highway which will connect to the City of Whitehorse’s growing trail network. Additional through lanes and dedicated turn lanes will also be added to improve the flow of traffic and reduce the likelihood of collisions.
New works selected for the 2020 Yukon Permanent Art Collection
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce the selection of 11 new artworks for inclusion in the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
The new acquisitions are the work of Yukon artists Justin Apperley, Audrey and Karrie Brown, Kimberly Edgar, Vashti Etzel, Violet Gatensby, Hannah Jickling and Valerie Salez, Daphne Mennell, Roland Peters, Monika Käte Steputh and Eugene Alfred.
The selected works showcase an array of stylistic approaches and themes and represent a wide range of media including carving, photography, painting, beadwork, knife making and even snow shovelling.
Yukon recognizes the one-year anniversary of release of National Inquiry’s Final Report
Today, June 3, marks the one-year anniversary of the formal release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirited individuals (MMIWG2S+): “Reclaiming Power and Place”. The Final Report comprises the truths of more than 2,380 family members, survivors of violence, experts and Knowledge Keepers gathered from two years of public hearings and evidence gathering. It delivers 231 individual Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries and all Canadians.
Statement from Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee on Yukon Graduate Day
Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee released the following statement on Yukon Graduate Day:
As Minister of Education, I am so pleased to announce that June 10, 2020 has officially been proclaimed “Yukon Graduate Day”.
Graduation is such an important milestone for every student, their families and their school communities. It is a time to celebrate dedication and achievement in learning. It marks the transition into next the stage of life, continuing to the next level at school, starting postsecondary studies or embarking on a career.
Disability Services families to receive additional support
Disability Services families are receiving additional funding to help support them during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible families will receive an additional $250 to $400 per month to help pay for supports, as there has been a significant reduction of services available in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community supports and services that are typically available include schools, day programs and recreation facilities. These facilities are currently unavailable or more difficult to access.
Easing of COVID-19 restrictions continues with details of Phase II announced
Today the Government of Yukon and the Chief Medical Officer of Health provided a progress update on easing COVID-19 restrictions in Yukon. Premier Silver and Dr. Hanley confirmed that if conditions continue trending positively Yukon is on track to begin Phase II on July 1.
Respiratory Assessment Centre closing this week
Following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Respiratory Assessment Centre (RAC) will close end of day on Sunday, May 31, 70 days after opening.
The RAC was established to respond to the need for respiratory illness assessment, high rates of influenza and COVID-19 testing outside of the acute care system and at Yukon Communicable Disease.
Parks and campgrounds ready to open on June 4
Territorial parks and campgrounds will open for the 2020 season on June 4 at 9 a.m.
Facilities including outhouses, boat launches, playgrounds and picnic shelters will be open. Yukoners are encouraged to be as self-contained as possible and to take the following precautions:
Twenty-four projects receive more than $1.4 million from the Community Development Fund
Twenty-four community projects were awarded $1,448,677 in Tier 1 and Tier 3 funding through the Community Development Fund’s January 2020 intake.
The approved community projects range from the Yukon Broomball Association receiving funding to replace the rink’s fabric roof and switch over to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, to the Teslin Historical and Museum Society improving the security of artifacts at the George Johnson Museum.
May 26, 2020: COVID-19 update
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, May 26, 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 1,159 people have been tested. We have had no new cases since April 20.
Statement from Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys on National Tourism Week
Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys has issued the following statement to mark the kick-off of the 2020 National Tourism Week.
As we mark this year’s National Tourism Week, the tourism industry finds itself facing a new and very challenging global landscape.
The past several years of banner growth and development, ground-breaking partnerships and the focused vision of the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy have been an exciting and optimistic time.
Yukon organizations receive $821,800 in Arts Operating Funds
Twenty organizations will receive a total of $821,800 in funding for this year’s Arts Operating Funds.
These funds will assist in the delivery of programming related to the development, creation or presentation of art for the benefit of Yukon audiences.
This represents an almost $80,000 increase over the 2019 funding total and is the highest amount ever distributed.
Funding to help Yukon employers hire students for critical and essential services
The Government of Yukon is providing $750,000 to help Yukon employers create new summer employment for graduating and postsecondary students in critical and essential services. This funding is in addition to recent funding supports announced through the Yukon Essential Worker Income Support Program.
