Yukon News Releases
Modernized Coroners Act tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 27 today, the first significant revision of the territory’s Coroners Act in 60 years.
The proposed legislation clarifies the duties of coroners, reflects best practices and procedures for the Coroner’s Service and was developed following engagement with Yukoners, the Chief Coroner, community coroners, the RCMP and other interested parties.
Airport emergency exercise successful
The airport fire department, along with emergency partners and stakeholders, held a multi-agency emergency exercise at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport today.
The exercise involved rescue personnel responding to a simulated aircraft crash. The two-hour simulation involved officials from the Whitehorse Fire Department, RCMP, Canada Border Services Agency, Emergency Medical Services and the departments of Community Services and Justice.
Partnership agreement to benefit relationship with local governments
Joint news release with the Association of Yukon Communities
Minister of Community Services John Streicker and Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) president Tara Wheeler signed a partnership agreement on September 29, 2018. The agreement sets the foundation for how the territorial government and AYC will work together over the next three years, based on principles of fairness, cooperation and collaboration.
Supplementary Estimates highlight benefits of improved government forecasting
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the 2018–19 First Supplementary Estimates in the Legislative Assembly today. The Supplementary Estimates include $13.4 million in additional spending over the 2018–19 Main Estimates – an increase of less than one per cent.
The historically low variance from the Main Estimates is a result of improvements around integrating key branches of economic and fiscal forecasting in the Department of Finance.
Notable items included in the Supplementary Estimates are:
Modernized Societies legislation tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Minister of Community Services John Streicker tabled Bill No. 20 today, a new, modernized Societies Act that will better serve the needs of today’s societies by clarifying the processes for their creation, governance and operation.
The current Societies Act was created over 30 years ago and new proposed legislation reflects engagement with Yukoners over key changes to policy elements.
Amendments to Territorial Lands and Forest Resources Acts tabled
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai tabled draft amendments to the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act and Forest Resources Act today in the Legislative Assembly.
The proposed changes are intended to deter violations of Yukon’s land protection acts during resource development and other activities, and would allow Yukon to apply higher fines in some cases when the Acts are violated.
Quartz Mining Act amendments deferred
The Government of Yukon is deferring the tabling of a proposed amendment to the Quartz Mining Act based on input received during the public engagement held in the summer of 2018.
A summary of the input received is available in the What We Heard document on the EngageYukon website.
Corrections branch takes over provost services from RCMP
The Department of Justice Corrections branch has assumed responsibility for Whitehorse provost services from the Yukon RCMP. As of October 1, 2018, Corrections Officers will be providing provost services. This will include transporting persons in custody between the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, the Arrest Processing Unit and the Whitehorse Law Courts, as well as guarding services for court proceedings.
Come together for the United Way pancake breakfast
Joint news release with United Way
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way breakfast fundraiser on September 28 at the Yukon Convention Centre from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. with all the fixings – pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, fruit, muffins, croissants, juice, coffee and tea.
Government of Yukon and RCMP announce policing infrastructure plans
The Minister of Justice and Yukon RCMP Commanding Officer have agreed to a capital plan that will guide investments in Yukon’s policing infrastructure until 2022.
The plan includes a new detachment building in Carcross and renovations to the police buildings in Ross River and Faro.
Consultation on Final Recommended Plan for the Peel Watershed begins
Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun
The parties responsible for completing the Regional Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed have launched the final consultation with affected communities and stakeholders on the Final Recommended Plan.
The Government of Yukon, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council invite the public to provide input on the Final Recommended Plan.
Local organizations receive funding for prevention of violence against Aboriginal women and girls
Five community-based projects to help prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls are receiving a total of $148,000 in funding from the Prevention of Violence against Aboriginal Women Fund.
The projects aim to address and prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls in Yukon communities through various initiatives, including raising awareness, healing and educational opportunities.
Public feedback sought on introducing regulated midwifery to Yukon
The Government of Yukon is inviting the public to share their thoughts on introducing regulated and funded midwifery into the territory’s healthcare system.
Draft Yukon Tourism Development Strategy released
The Government of Yukon, in collaboration with the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy Steering Committee, released a draft strategy for public comment today. Yukoners are asked to share their thoughts on the draft by October 3, 2018.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations meet in Dawson for Yukon Forum
Joint news release with Council of Yukon First Nations
Yukon’s Premier, Cabinet members and First Nations Chiefs met today at the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Community Hall for the third Yukon Forum of 2018.
This meeting marks one year of implementing the Joint Action Plan of the Yukon Forum. Leaders received updates on the progress of several joint working groups including child welfare, fish and wildlife, and land use planning.
Mummified ice age specimens unveiled in Dawson
Joint news release with Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Chief Roberta Joseph, Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys will be at the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre today to unveil the mummified remains of a caribou and a wolf pup found on Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Traditional Territory.
The ancient ice age specimens, both radiocarbon dated to over 50,000 years old, were discovered and reported by placer mining operations in the Klondike region and recovered by members of the Yukon Paleontology Program for research and analysis.
Whistle Bend Place officially opens
The Government of Yukon opened Whistle Bend Place, the territory’s newest long-term care home, today. Residents will begin moving into their new home next month. With 150 resident rooms, Whistle Bend Place will help ease waitlist pressures for continuing care in the territory.
Premier and Ministers present Yukon vision to Senate Arctic committee
Premier Sandy Silver and three of his Ministers met with members of the Special Senate Committee on the Arctic in Whitehorse today to outline the Government of Yukon’s priorities and present opportunities for strengthening northern communities.
Francophone advocate receives literacy award from Premier
Long-time Francophone advocate Isabelle Salesse was presented with this year’s Council of the Federation Literacy Award by Premier Sandy Silver in Whitehorse today.
Since 2004, Canada’s Premiers present this annual award to recipients across the country. The award celebrates individuals’ outstanding achievements, innovative practices and excellence in literacy. It recognizes the importance of literacy to participation in all areas of society.
Raven Recycling Society to operate e-waste depot
Beginning October 1, Yukoners can recycle designated electronic and electrical products at Raven Recycling Society in Whitehorse. The non-profit society will provide a regional recycling depot in Whitehorse and collect e-waste from municipal and unincorporated communities and transport it to a recycling facility in Alberta. Outside of Whitehorse, designated products can be dropped off for free at community, municipal or regional depots.
