Yukon News Releases
Outstanding service recognized by Premier
Premier Sandy Silver presented three individuals and five teams of public servants with the Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation.
The individual recipients are Christine Tapp, Grove Taggart and Karen Thomson. The team recipients are the Cannabis Implementation Working Group; Environmental Education and Youth Programs; Online Cannabis Store Delivery Team; Time, Labour and Leave Core Team; and Whistle Bend Continuing Care.
Territorial Premiers to meet in Dawson City to discuss northern priorities
The Premiers of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut will take part in the Northern Premiers’ Forum in Dawson City on June 13 and 14 to continue their work to build thriving communities across the North.
Topics of discussion will include the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, mental health and addictions, climate change and sustainable development, energy, transportation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Public engagement to support preventing workplace violence and harassment
The Government of Yukon is seeking input about preventing violence and harassment in Yukon workplaces to inform regulation changes under the Yukon Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Yukoners can share feedback at a public open house on June 18 in Whitehorse, complete an online survey at engageyukon.ca or provide written submissions by June 30, 2019.
An amendment was made to the Occupational Health and Safety Act in 2017 to enable the development of regulations aimed at preventing workplace psychological injuries.
Tentative agreement reached between the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Employees’ Union
The Government of Yukon and the Public Service Alliance of Canada and Yukon Employees’ Union are pleased to announce that a tentative collective bargaining agreement has been reached.
The government and union began collective bargaining in October 2018 to renew the existing collective agreement, which expired on December 31, 2018.
The tentative agreement is subject to ratification. Details of the settlement will be released after the ratification process is complete.
2018 another record year for Yukon tourism
Tourism Yukon’s 2018 Year-End Report shows Yukon’s tourism sector had another banner year in 2018, setting new records for a number of key indicators, with further growth projected for 2019.
2018 highlights include direct international border crossings surpassing half a million entries, increases in overnight visitors and air arrivals at Erik Neilson Whitehorse International Airport by five and six per cent, respectively, and retail sales rising almost five per cent to $837 million.
The Commissioner of Yukon invested as a Grande Dame of the Order of St. John
On June 5, 2019, Angélique Bernard, Commissioner of Yukon, was invested as a Grande Dame of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John. The ceremony took place at Taylor House and was led by Alain Laurencelle, Deputy Chancellor, Order of St. John (Priory of Canada).
Homeowners, businesses and communities to save money with energy efficiency upgrades
The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon are jointly investing a total of $41.3 million to support energy efficiency retrofits for residential, commercial and institutional buildings throughout Yukon over the next three years.
These energy efficiency programs will help First Nations governments, municipalities, businesses, local industries and homeowners reduce energy waste and make buildings more efficient, comfortable and affordable to operate.
Nineteen projects receive Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funds
Nineteen community-led projects focused on crime prevention and services for victims are receiving $514,159.40 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust. Projects include supporting youth mental and sexual health; exploring issues related to intolerance and hate crimes; celebrating Pride, families and community; and supporting healthy activities for children, families and youth.
Watson Lake receives funding for regional economic development project
The Town of Watson Lake has been awarded $49,700 for a regional economic development project through the Government of Yukon’s Regional Economic Development Fund. This funding will support the implementation of prioritized community and economic development initiatives focused on governance, land development, procurement, tourism and encouraging local economic activity.
The project is made up of the following four initiatives to be undertaken from June 2019 to March 2020.
Engagement underway to improve economic development funding programs
The Government of Yukon is looking for feedback on potential improvements to three Economic Development funding programs: the Regional Economic Development Fund, Strategic Industries Development Fund and Enterprise Trade Fund.
The Regional Economic Development Fund’s objective is to support economic planning, opportunity identification and capacity development at the regional and community level in Yukon.
Tän Tágà Shro trail at Wolf Creek campground open for use
A new wheelchair accessible interpretive trail opened today at the Wolf Creek campground. Minister of Environment Pauline Frost, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Chief Kristina Kane, Kwanlin Dün First Nation Councillor Jessie Dawson as well as Elders and project partners were on hand for the official opening.
Tän Tágà Shro, or “trail (to the) big river,” was developed collaboratively by the Government of Yukon, Kwänlin Dün First Nation, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and the City of Whitehorse. It is the territory’s second wheelchair accessible trail.
Eight community projects receive more than $925,500 from Community Development Fund
Eight community projects in five Yukon communities have been awarded $925,542 in Tier 3 funding from the Community Development Fund.
The projects include a new playground in the Town of Faro, upgrades to cross-country ski trails in Whitehorse, a new air system for a restaurant in Mayo, ice maintenance equipment for the arena in Pelly Crossing, and funding for hosting a 10-day national conference for live performance technicians, producers and managers in Yukon.
Yukon’s response to national Shared Health Priorities
The Canadian Institute of Health Information released the results on their first three Shared Health Priorities this week. The priorities were selected by the federal, provincial and territorial governments along with the Canadian public as a way to measure and improve access to mental health and addictions services, and to home and community care.
The first three indicators are:
Statement from Minister Dendys on the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
This is a difficult and emotional time for Yukon families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and survivors. I thank and commend them for sharing their personal experiences of this tragedy and educating all Canadians about its ongoing impacts. The strength and determination they have demonstrated, and their patience throughout this monumental task, will never be forgotten.
Statement from Premier Silver on the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
The submission of the Final Report of the Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to the Government of Canada marks an historic moment for our country. The loss of so many Indigenous women and girls is not just a women’s issue or an Indigenous issue, but a national issue that must be addressed by all levels of government through a cross-jurisdictional lens. All Canadians are affected by the tragic events documented through this Inquiry, and all Canadians have a stake in ending violence against Indigenous women and girls and LGBTQ2S+ individuals.
Yukon Advisory Committee welcomes release of final report of National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
Today marked the formal release of the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). The release and closing ceremony took place in Gatineau, Quebec, with representatives from Yukon Indigenous women’s groups and family members of Yukon MMIWG in attendance.
The Government of Yukon, Yukon First Nations, Yukon Indigenous women’s groups and family representatives worked collaboratively as members of the Yukon Advisory Committee while the commissioners of the National Inquiry carried out their work.
New affordable housing units open in Dawson City
A new eight-unit affordable housing building officially opened at 1075 Third Avenue in Dawson City today. Tenants will be able to move in starting June 1, 2019.
The governments of Canada and Yukon provided $900,000 to the Klondike Development Organization through Yukon Housing Corporation programs to complete the project, which is the second affordable rental building completed in two years.
The two-storey design is similar to the previous affordable housing building with six 44-square-metre one-bedroom units, and two 55-square-metre two-bedroom units.
Interim Electrical Rebate renewed
The Government of Yukon is renewing the Interim Electrical Rebate for 2019–20 and has adjusted the amount paid by one-third of a cent per kilowatt hour to address rising program costs. The adjustment begins June 1, 2019, and customers will see the change in their bills later that month. The rebate is applied to electric bills for residential customers and reduces the overall amount Yukoners pay each month for electricity in their homes.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations governments meet in Carmacks for Yukon Forum
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members, Council of Yukon First Nation’s Grand Chief and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met today at the Village of Carmacks Recreation Hall for the second Yukon Forum of 2019.
Leaders discussed climate change and the development of a more robust intergovernmental collaboration in this area. This conversation included discussions regarding carbon pricing and wildland fire management.
Heritage management agreement signed at Yukon Forum
A Memorandum of Understanding establishing a formal process for collaboration on heritage management between the Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations was signed at an official ceremony during the May 30, 2019, Yukon Forum in Carmacks, Yukon.
