Yukon News Releases
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Fossils suggest ancient rhinos and turtles once roamed Yukon
According to a study published today by the journal American Museum Novitates, fossils found near Whitehorse in the 1970s indicate rhinoceroses and turtles inhabited Yukon approximately eight million years ago.
2018–19 Public Accounts show $5.8 million deficit
Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver tabled the 2018–19 Public Accounts today in the Legislative Assembly. As anticipated, the non-consolidated public accounts had a small deficit.
The non-consolidated annual deficit for 2018–19 was $5.8 million. On a consolidated basis, including all entities within the Government of Yukon’s control, the annual surplus for 2018–19 was $2.3 million.
Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee report tabled
Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost tabled the report of the Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee today in the Legislative Assembly.
The report, Embracing the Children of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, contains 149 recommendations and is the culmination of 18 months of public engagement throughout the territory by the six-member independent advisory committee.
Yukoners to receive first carbon rebate in October
Yukoners will start receiving their carbon price rebates on October 31, 2019.
Yukoners are automatically eligible for a rebate if they filed a 2018 Yukon income tax return, and will receive $43 each. The Canada Revenue Agency will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque.
Families receive their rebate as a combined payment per household. For married and common-law partners, a combined rebate will be paid to the person who filed their 2018 tax return first. Yukoners with dependent children will receive a payment that includes a rebate for each child.
Changes at Whitehorse Emergency Shelter to ensure better service
The Government of Yukon together with its community and government partners are making changes to programming and operations at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter with the support of its Safe at Home working group partners.
A number of significant changes have been implemented at the shelter and several more are in development. These changes will provide better support to facility guests while addressing some of the concerns from the downtown Whitehorse community.
New Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge opens
After two years of construction, the Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge replacement is now complete. Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn and Carcross/Tagish First Nations’ Deputy Chief Maria Benoit officially opened the bridge today alongside the project teams from the the Carcross/Tagish Development Corporation and Ruskin Construction Ltd and the Government of Yukon today.
Grizzly bear conservation plan released
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board have released the conservation plan for grizzly bears in Yukon. The plan will help guide decisions related to grizzlies in the territory by ensuring they remain healthy in their habitat and that their population is sustainable.
Goals of the plan include minimizing human-grizzly conflicts and taking care of the land and other species that grizzly bears rely on.
The plan was finalized following government-to-government consultation with First Nations, Inuvialuit and transboundary Indigenous groups.
Do the heavy lifting to reduce waste
The Yukon government is taking steps to improve the territory’s waste management system, and asking all Yukoners to do the same. Yukoners are encouraged to make the extra effort to reduce waste during Waste Reduction Week, October 21 to 27.
The Government of Yukon is working to modernize and improve the territory’s waste management system by introducing a ban on single-use bags and improving how rural waste facilities serve each region.
Yukon’s flu vaccine campaign targets Yukoners with chronic medical conditions
Yukon’s influenza vaccine campaign officially kicks off on October 21 with special clinics aimed at those most vulnerable to complications from influenza. These include Yukon residents with chronic medical conditions, as well as those over the age of 65, pregnant women and young children.
Annual recreation gathering includes specialized training, relationship building and awards
Recreation leaders from across the territory had the opportunity to network, learn new skills and increase their knowledge at Yukon’s annual recreation gathering this week in Marsh Lake.
The Government of Yukon and the Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon jointly hosted the three-day event from October 15 to 17, which saw participants attend a variety of workshops and information sessions, including Canadian Red Cross Psychological First Aid training.
Modernized service model supports local businesses
The Government of Yukon is streamlining the delivery of printing, storage and distribution services to provide new opportunities for local businesses.
The Queen’s Printer Agency, which currently provides a wide range of government printing services, will now focus exclusively on sensitive material such as budget documents. Central Stores, which currently stocks and distributes government stationery, cleaning supplies and other stock, will be liquidated with services shifted to the private sector.
Public engagement on acts review to launch this fall
Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) on behalf of the Government of Yukon is conducting a public engagement about modernizing the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The engagement will launch with a public open house in Whitehorse on October 23, 2019, and close on January 16, 2020.
The engagement will offer the opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to provide input on how to improve the workers’ compensation and occupational health and safety systems now and for the future.
Modern health information system to be launched in Yukon
Joint news release
Modernized Liquor Act tabled in Legislative Assembly
Today John Streicker, Minister responsible for the Yukon Liquor Corporation, tabled Bill No. 5, a new and modernized Liquor Act, in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
The Bill aims to balance social responsibility with economic opportunity, while improving transparency around governance and clarifying roles and responsibilities for enforcement. The proposed legislation reflects feedback received through extensive public engagement.
Amendments to Elections Act tabled
Today Premier Sandy Silver tabled proposed amendments to the Elections Act that would expand access to voting by special ballot, and allow for greater flexibility and more convenient registration and voting options.
Community Development Fund awards more than $70,000 to seven projects
Seven community projects were awarded $70,866 from the Government of Yukon’s Community Development Fund for the Tier 1 July 2019 intake.
The project recipients include the Village of Teslin, Association of Yukon Communities, Watson Lake Daycare Centre Society, Yukon Film Society, Golden Age Society, Signpost Seniors Association and Ross River Recreation Society.
To date in the 2019–20 fiscal year, the Community Development Fund has approved $1,919,837 for 46 projects.
Yukon University Act tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Bill No. 2, the Yukon University Act, was tabled in the Legislative Assembly today. It would set the legal framework for Yukon’s first university, allowing Yukon College to become Yukon University.
The proposed legislation includes provisions to ensure Yukon University remains a hybrid institution that offers university-level programs and college-level programs such as trades and apprenticeship, adult basic education and academic upgrading. This Act would clarify the responsibility of Yukon University to honour and support reconciliation with Yukon First Nations.
New Technical Amendments Act tabled
Bill No. 7 was tabled in the Legislative Assembly today. The Bill includes amendments to three different pieces of legislation: the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act; the Jury Act; and the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Act.
LGBTQ2S+ engagement informs action plan
Results from latest LGBTQ2S+ engagement have been released, representing the final stage of a public engagement designed to inform the development of an action plan to increase inclusiveness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, plus (LGBTQ2S+) Yukoners in government legislation, policies, programs and services.
Supplementary Estimates reflect economic growth
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the 2019–20 First Supplementary Estimates in the Legislative Assembly today. It includes an increase of $43.3 million in gross capital and an increase of $20.5 million in operations and maintenance, for a total of $63.8 million. Recoveries in capital are expected to increase by $26.3 million.
