Yukon News Releases
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Dawson City Airport runway closure dates announced
The Dawson City Airport runway will be closed for paving from 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, 2019, until midnight on Sunday, May 26, 2019. These dates and times are tentative and will be dependent on weather. During the closure no airplanes will be arriving or departing but helicopters will continue operating from the Dawson City Airport.
Travellers are urged to contact airlines directly for further information and flight availability.
Government of Yukon funds tourism strategy
The Government of Yukon is providing $875,000 in funding to implement the new tourism development strategy, Sustainable Tourism. Our Path. Our Future.
Funding will address priority actions identified in the new strategy, including:
New administrator for Cultural Industries Training Fund
The Cultural Industries Training Fund (CITF) is now being administered by the Department of Tourism and Culture.
The CITF provides support for professional training and skill development with the goal of increasing business and employment opportunities for cultural workers, businesses and entrepreneurs in Yukon. The fund supports the business and economic side of the cultural industries, including film, video and digital media; music and sound recording; visual arts and crafts; performing arts; writing and publishing; and the cultural labour force.
2019-20 Budget meets housing, health and education needs of a growing territory
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver has tabled the Government of Yukon’s 2019–20 Budget.
The Budget focuses on affordable housing, effective health and social services, quality education, and reliable community infrastructure. This includes $19 million to develop building lots in Whitehorse and rural communities in each of the next five years.
Work will continue on the Health and Social Services Comprehensive Review to find efficiencies to better deliver services to Yukoners.
Fiscal and Economic Outlook points to strong economy, historically low unemployment and economic growth
Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver today tabled a new forecast for Yukon’s finances and economy as part of the 2019–20 Budget.
The fiscal picture shows a plan that remains on track from last year’s budget. The government is still forecasting a return to a surplus in 2020–21 while also ensuring that it adequately addresses the needs of current and future Yukoners.
Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission formed
The Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have formed the new Dawson Regional Land Use Planning Commission. The Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in governments each nominated three people to the six-person Commission in accordance with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement.
The new Commission will develop a plan for future land use in the region with assistance from the Yukon Land Use Planning Council. The Commission’s work will be guided by the Terms of Reference agreed to by the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Yukon governments.
Government of Yukon increases the minimum wage to $12.71 per hour
Minister of Community Services John Streicker announced today that the Government of Yukon has approved the Employment Standards Board’s order to increase Yukon’s minimum wage on April 1 to $12.71 per hour.
The minimum wage in Yukon is rising from $11.51 to $12.71. This is an increase of $0.90, plus the 2018 Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent.
At the request of Minister Streicker, the Employment Standards Board conducted a review of the minimum wage in 2018 and submitted its report and recommendation on November 30, 2018.
Increased fines and demerits target unsafe driving
The Government of Yukon is taking action to address illegal and dangerous driving behaviour around school buses by increasing fines and demerits under the Summary Convictions Regulation and Motor Vehicles Regulations.
Fines for drivers who fail to stop for a school bus that is receiving or discharging passengers have increased to $500 from $200. Fines for drivers who pass a bus illegally will also face a fine of $500, increased from $200. Demerit points for both offences have increased from five to eight points.
Yukoners benefit from Gas Tax Fund projects
Today in Whitehorse Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and the Honourable John Streicker, Minister of Community Services, Government of Yukon announced a total of $2.79 million in funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund for 11 newly approved and nine completed projects.
City of Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis, Village of Teslin Mayor Gord Curran and Village of Carmacks Mayor Lee Bodie joined them for the announcement.
Finance deputy minister departing government
Premier Sandy Silver announced today that Katherine White, deputy minister for the Department of Finance, has decided to leave the Government of Yukon for personal reasons. She has indicated that her last day with the Government of Yukon will be April 26.
This timeframe for White’s departure will allow for a smoother transition to new leadership for the department.
Midwifery engagement What We Heard report released today
The Government of Yukon has released a report on the results of the midwifery public engagement. The What We Heard document reflects the views expressed by participating Yukoners during the engagement period in the fall of 2018.
The purpose of this public engagement was to gain a better understanding of Yukoners’ perspectives as the territory moves towards regulating, funding and integrating midwifery into the healthcare system. Between September 20 and December 14, 2018 more than 600 Yukoners participated in the online survey and in-person focus groups.
Improvements made for 2019 permit hunt authorization lottery
The Government of Yukon is implementing a series of changes to improve and modernize the permit hunt authorization lottery.
The changes follow a technical review of lottery data, processes and policies conducted by Make IT, which confirmed earlier findings regarding challenges with duplicate files and data merging that have now been addressed. The changes were also informed by broader public engagement on the rules, regulations and processes used for the lottery.
New food service opportunity coming to Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport
The Government of Yukon is modernizing the restaurant area within Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport and will be putting out a tender for food services this spring. The existing Shanthi’s Airport Restaurant is closing on February 27 after serving travellers for close to a decade.
Renovations to enhance the facilities and maximize space will start in March and continue throughout the summer. The goal is to have new food services in place by the fall.
Have your say on a recycling fee for single-use bags
The Government of Yukon wants to hear from Yukoners about how to apply a recycling surcharge on single-use shopping bags including the surcharge amount, type of bags, potential exemptions, timing and approach for implementation.
A recycling surcharge for single-use bags will help make recycling in Yukon more financially sustainable while encouraging the use of reusable bags.
Feedback can be submitted before April 26, 2019 at engageyukon.ca.
Ten regional economic development projects slated for local companies
For the second year in a row the Government of Yukon is using all 10 of its $1 million trade agreement exceptions to boost regional economic development in the territory. Projects selected this year will grow local industry through infrastructure upgrades, building construction, consultant design services and safety improvements. Only Yukon companies are invited to bid on these tenders.
Yukon and Alaskan officials discuss cross-border opportunities
Premier Sandy Silver met with Alaska’s new Governor Mike Dunleavy and Senator Lisa Murkowski in Juneau, Alaska, on February 19 to discuss cross-border opportunities.
This was the first time Premier Silver and Governor Dunleavy have met since the Governor’s election to office in November 2018. The meeting included a discussion of topics of shared interest such as infrastructure, economic development and the growing northern tourism industry.
Private retail cannabis licence applications available
The Yukon Liquor Corporation will begin accepting applications for private retail cannabis licences on February 20, 2019. Applications are available online and through the Yukon Liquor Corporation.
Once an application is complete and the period for public comments has passed the Cannabis Licensing Board will review the application package. The Cannabis Control and Regulation Act requires that all persons who sell cannabis have cannabis retail training. The Yukon Liquor Corporation will be offering this training to retailers in March 2019.
Government of Yukon supports successful Indigenous economic development conference
Indigenous businesses, leaders and development corporations gathered in Whitehorse earlier this week for the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference. The conference was hosted by the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce and welcomed attendees from across the North.
The Government of Yukon provided $50,000 towards the conference which took place from February 12 to 14.
The 2019 Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony was held during the conference as well as sessions focused on Indigenous development corporations, tourism, mining, natural resources and investment.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations meet for Yukon Forum
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members, Council of Yukon First Nations Chief and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met today at the Nàkwät’à Kų̀ Potlatch House in Whitehorse for the Yukon Forum.
Leaders discussed mining, economic development, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and the next Intergovernmental Forum with the federal government.
Government of Yukon overhauls procurement
The Government of Yukon’s new procurement policy represents a comprehensive overhaul of government procurement that helps businesses access contracting opportunities, increases consistency and allows more flexibility in sourcing goods and services.
The new procurement policy clarifies roles and responsibilities and will guide government staff on how to increase opportunities for Yukon businesses to support sound decision-making. It comes into effect on April 1, 2019.
