Yukon News Releases
Participants build skills with tiny home construction project
The Building Stability pilot project, initiated by the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Yukon College, offered a skill development opportunity for five individuals from the Yukon Community Corrections program.
The project, funded by the Government of Yukon, brought participants together with an instructor at Yukon College to build a tiny home. The goal of the project was to provide participants with employable construction skills.
Dynamic Speed Display Sign Program launches in Whitehorse
The Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse and RCMP Traffic Services have partnered together to coordinate education, build awareness and modify driver behaviour related to speeding on city roads.
The Dynamic Speed Display Sign Program will see mobile radar speed signs alongside targeted RCMP enforcement at 10 high-infraction locations in Whitehorse. The signs and RCMP enforcement will be established for up to four weeks per location.
Expansion of orthopedics program at Whitehorse General Hospital
A second surgeon has joined Yukon Hospitals’ orthopedic program at Whitehorse General Hospital. The in-territory orthopedic program brings specialized care closer to home, improving access and continuity of care for patients, and reducing travel time and costs for families. It also reduces pressures on medical travel as well as demands on visiting specialists.
With two surgeons, the program now provides emergency and on-call services and is better able to manage wait times for total knee replacements.
National summit of education leaders meeting in Whitehorse
Education leaders from across Canada are in Whitehorse for the C21 Canadians for 21st Century Learning & Innovation CEO Academy Winter Summit. This is the first time this summit has taken place in Yukon.
Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society and Raven Recycling unveil new textile baler
The Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society and Raven Recycling along with the Government of Yukon today unveiled a new textile baler. The Government of Yukon’s Community Development Fund provided funding to the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society to purchase the textile baler to help recycle clothing and divert it from Yukon’s landfills. The baler has been installed on location at Raven Recycling and will be operated and maintained by Raven Recycling staff.
Midwifery model of care selected for Yukon
A midwifery model of care has been selected for Yukon. Midwives will be employees of the Government of Yukon to ensure Yukoners have access to sustainable and integrated midwifery services.
Development of a model of care was informed by extensive research, input from public engagement, the work of the Midwifery Advisory Committee, and a recommendation received from the Canadian Association of Midwives.
Yukon University Act proclaimed
The Yukon University Act has been proclaimed into force by the Commissioner in Executive Council, replacing the Yukon College Act. The new act enables Yukon College to transition to Yukon University, the first university in Canada north of 60.
The official launch for Yukon University will be on May 8, 2020, with a convocation ceremony for its first graduates, and a community celebration on May 9, 2020.
Three regulations have been established under the Yukon University Act that mirror those that existed under the Yukon College Act.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations meet for First Yukon Forum of 2020
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members, Council of Yukon First Nations' Grand Chief and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met today at the Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch House in Whitehorse for the first Yukon Forum of 2020.
Yukon’s minimum wage increasing to $13.71 per hour
Yukon’s minimum wage will increase to $13.71 per hour on April 1, up from $12.71. This change represents a two-per-cent increase based on the 2019 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse plus an additional $0.75.
The Government of Yukon approved the increase following an order made by the Employment Standards Board. In making its most recent order, the Employment Standards Board considered criteria including:
Independent review of inclusive and special education in Yukon begins
The Government of Yukon has arranged for Nikki Yee, an educator and current doctoral candidate in Special Education at the University of British Columbia, to conduct an independent review of inclusive and special education in Yukon. The review will include opportunities for students, families, educators, Yukon First Nations, school communities and partners in education to share their perspectives and experiences.
New affordable housing underway through Housing Initiatives Fund
The third call for projects for the annual $3.6 million Housing Initiatives Fund recently supported 12 more shovel-ready projects across Yukon. Over the last three years, the fund has supported projects that will result in more than 350 new housing units in the territory.
In Whitehorse, Ramza Developments Limited completed an 18-unit building in June 2019 with funding from the June 2018 Housing Initiatives Fund. In Carmacks, two four-unit projects that received funding from previous program intakes are complete. Many other projects are well underway.
Project coordination committee struck for Brewery Creek Mine
This is a joint news release with Golden Predator Mining Corp.
The Government of Yukon and Golden Predator Mining Corp. established a project coordination committee pertaining to the Brewery Creek Mine, effective January 6, 2020. The committee had its first meeting during the Mineral Exploration Roundup Mining Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, last month. The committee will enhance communications with respect to the development and production plans for the Brewery Creek project located near Dawson City, Yukon.
Yukon Renewable Electricity Panel final report released
The Yukon Renewable Electricity Panel final report is now available to the public. The report follows public engagement on Yukon’s renewable energy future organized by the Government of Yukon, the Yukon Energy Corporation and Yukon Development Corporation. The expert panel hosted public conversations, and gathered input on renewable electricity from students, non-government organizations, advocacy groups, electricity stakeholder groups, and Yukon First Nations.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver regarding the passing of Elder Pearl Keenan
It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Teslin Tlingit Elder Pearl Keenan.
Mrs. Keenan was a champion of the Tlingit language as well as traditional First Nations culture and knowledge. She was a passionate advocate of education committed to engaging youth and raising awareness of environmental issues.
Eliza Building in Dawson expands territory’s affordable housing
Dawson City’s new Eliza Building is expanding affordable housing options in the territory.
The Chief Isaac Group of Companies recently completed a 14-unit structure in Dawson City, named the Eliza Building. This project was built with support from the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The building includes a mix of bachelor, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, as well as one commercial space. Nine of the 13 residential units will be maintained as affordable housing for the next 10 years.
Public risk for novel coronavirus remains low in Yukon
To date, there have been no cases of illness caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Yukon and the risk for Yukoners acquiring this illness remains low.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley, is working closely with counterparts across the country and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on the latest updates on this viral infection.
Funding available for Yukon projects that prevent crime or support victims
The spring 2020 intake has opened for applications to the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust. Project funding is available from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust for non-profit community groups, school councils, municipalities or First Nations governments.
The funding supports community-led projects that work to reduce crime, prevent gender-based violence or address the root causes of criminal behaviour. The Trust also supports projects that provide services or programming for victims of crime.
British Columbia and Yukon partner on strategies to feed the North
Joint news release with the Government of British Columbia
Farmers, ranchers and food processors in Yukon and Northern British Columbia may soon have more local customers as the two governments connect to build food security and increase the supply and production of local food in the North.
Dawson City ice bridge open to heavy traffic
Construction of the ice bridge between Dawson City and West Dawson is now complete.
The 40-metre-wide lane is suitable for vehicles and loads up to 40,000 kilograms and has been certified as safe for use by Associated Engineering’s NOR-EX and Big Ice. They have also provided ice training to the maintenance crew in Dawson, who will continue to maintain the crossing into the spring.
Commissioner of Yukon to present new literary prize
The BC and Yukon Book Prizes and the Office of the Commissioner of Yukon are happy to announce the first-ever literary prize for the Yukon writing and publishing community.
The Borealis Prize: The Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Contribution will be administered by the BC and Yukon Book Prizes and awarded annually by the Commissioner of Yukon. This award will be presented at the Dawson Daily News Print and Publishing Festival in Dawson City, Yukon which takes place each year in May or June.
