Yukon News Releases
A statement from Premier Silver about the appointment of a new Yukon Senator
Premier Sandy Silver issued the following statement about the appointment of Pat Duncan as Yukon Senator:
Memorandum of understanding signed to support Indigenous Tourism
The Government of Yukon, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and the Yukon First Nations Culture & Tourism Association (YFNCT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Advancing Indigenous Tourism Conference today in Carcross.
French First Language Secondary School design-build contract awarded
Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
A $29,357,080 contract for the new French First Language Secondary School and community spaces has been awarded to Whitehorse-based company Ketza Construction.
The project was tendered as a negotiated request for proposals, which considers Yukon First Nations’ participation and northern experience as part of the construction contract. Construction on the project is expected to begin in spring 2019 and be completed in winter 2020–2021.
Dawson City ice bridge construction contract awarded
Whitehorse-based Cobalt Construction has been awarded a contract to construct an ice bridge in Dawson City this winter.
The Yukon River in Dawson did not freeze over the past two winters and has yet to freeze over this winter. This means that the territorial government is looking for ways to induce ice formation to build the bridge.
New program to help seniors age in place opens in Whitehorse
A new 10-bed reablement and respite unit opened at Thomson Centre today. The new reablement program will provide an option for individuals who do not need acute care but cannot yet manage at home or are struggling in their home.
The reablement program will help individuals regain strength, endurance, functioning and independence to allow them to stay in their homes longer. The respite program provides temporary support to individuals living independently or being cared for by a friend or family member.
Government of Yukon receives minimum wage review
The Employment Standards Board has submitted its review of Yukon’s minimum wage to the Minister of Community Services.
The report includes recommendations for changes to Yukon’s minimum wage based on numerous factors including:
Premier presents Yukon priorities at national meeting in Montreal
Premier Sandy Silver participated in a meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, the federal Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade, and Premiers at the annual First Ministers’ Meeting.
The meeting heard from Ambassador David MacNaughton, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Katherine McKenna, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau, and federal Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade Dominic LeBlanc on a range of economic and environmental issues.
Report summarizes 35 years of licensed harvest in Yukon
A new summary report provides a 35-year picture of licensed harvest for 6 key big game species in Yukon. The Licensed Harvest Trends Report 1980–2014 presents data collected by the Department of Environment from licensed hunters and brings together information previously available in various reports, including annual hunting regulations summaries. Consolidating existing harvest data in one place allows long-term patterns to be identified, and helps increase public awareness around harvest activity in the territory.
Community Development Fund updated to be more responsive to the needs of Yukoners
The Community Development Fund guidelines have been updated to make the program more responsive to the needs of Yukoners and improve the overall delivery of the fund.
The deadline for Tier 2 applications will now be April 15 (previously May 15) and September 15 in order to allow seasonally dependent projects to be approved earlier and start sooner.
Yukon First Nations and Government of Yukon meet with federal Ministers on Yukon priorities
This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments
The Yukon Premier, Ministers, the Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief and several Yukon First Nations Chiefs met with federal Ministers to jointly advocate on key issues important to Yukoners. These meetings were an opportunity to seek the federal government’s support, understanding and collaboration on a number of made-in-Yukon solutions to Yukon priorities.
Yukon priorities to be championed at national discussions
Premier Sandy Silver is raising support for Yukon priorities at meetings with federal Ministers, Canada’s Premiers and the Prime Minister in Ottawa and Montreal. The main topics of the Premier’s discussions will be investment in Yukon with a focus on housing, infrastructure and Yukon University.
Yukon’s permit hunt lottery review underway
The Government of Yukon is conducting a comprehensive review of the data, processes and policies involved in the Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) lottery to enhance it prior to the 2019/20 lottery.
Make IT, a local business, has been contracted to conduct an independent review of all technical aspects of the lottery, including software, hardware, data and data administration, and quality controls.
Feedback sought on proposed condominium regulations
The Government of Yukon is inviting input on proposed provisions to regulate condominium developments in Yukon. The engagement period will run from November 27, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
The feedback received will help clarify key procedures and requirements such as:
Government of Yukon and Water Board sign Memorandum of Understanding
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Water Board have signed an agreement to clarify their roles with respect to looking after the territory’s water.
The agreement supports a constructive working relationship between the Yukon Water Board and the Government of Yukon and maintains the independence of the board in dealing with water licence application decisions. It also clarifies the staffing and administrative relationship between the Yukon Water Board and the Government of Yukon.
National Take Action on Radon campaign launches
The Government of Yukon has partnered with the Yukon Lung Association to participate in Canada’s Take Action on Radon campaign. The emphasis this year is on areas where previous radon testing showed high results, including communities and Whitehorse subdivisions.
Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas that comes from the ground and can enter buildings through cracks, drains, sump pumps and gaps around pipe fittings. It can be found in any Yukon home and is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
Government of Yukon receives Tourism Development Strategy
The Yukon Tourism Development Strategy steering committee has provided the Government of Yukon with their new strategy, Sustainable Tourism. Our Path. Our Future.
Key legislation passes as fall sitting ends
Significant legislation focused on modernization, openness and inclusivity will pass as the fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly ends today.
New legislation this fall includes:
Yukon to reduce ophthalmology wait times
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Hospital Corporation have developed a plan to reduce wait times for ophthalmology consultations and increase the number of cataract surgeries performed in Yukon.
The new plan, which comes into effect in January 2019, will reduce the wait time for ophthalmology consultation to four months before the end of the year while also maintaining wait time for surgery following consultation at four months or less. These wait times are in line with the Canadian benchmark.
Government of Yukon seeking input to improve LGBTQ2S+ inclusion
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) Yukoners and their allies are being asked to share their insights to help improve their inclusion in Government of Yukon programs and services. The government will be hosting community dialogues, in-depth focus groups and an online survey in a comprehensive, government-wide initiative to help ensure LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and non-discrimination.
New accessible seniors’ duplexes open in Carmacks
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
The governments of Yukon and Canada officially opened two new accessible duplexes in Carmacks today, the first seniors’ accessible housing project in the community. The new housing supports Aging in Place, a collaborative Yukon-wide effort that allows seniors to live in their home community as they age.
