Yukon News Releases
Yukon’s wildfire resources exported to British Columbia
On August 15, the Government of Yukon sent resources to British Columbia to assist with the province’s wildfire situation. This assistance was requested through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The British Columbia government declared a province-wide state of emergency yesterday in response to the ongoing wildfire situation.
Whitehorse Correctional Centre inspection report released, next steps announced
The final report of the independent inspection of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC) was released today.
The report by Mr. David Loukidelis includes 40 recommendations to improve the delivery of programs and services at the correctional centre and better serve inmates who have mental wellness needs.
Reception centre for BC fire evacuees moving to new location
The Whitehorse reception centre for people displaced by wildfires in northern BC is being moved from its current location at Vanier Secondary School to a new location at 9010 Quartz Road. Its hours of operation are also being amended.
Reception and emergency social services support will be provided at the new location as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice. After hours and on weekends, on-call support can be accessed by calling 867-332-3179. Collect calls are accepted.
Government of Yukon to make donation to support residents affected by wildfires in Telegraph Creek
The Government of Yukon is making a $25,000 donation to support BC residents affected by wildfires in the Telegraph Creek area.
The fires have forced residents of Telegraph Creek to evacuate their homes, and many structures have been destroyed.
Yukoners can make donations directly to the Tahltan Central Government, which has requested secure email transfers.
The Whitehorse reception centre is currently not set up to take public donations but there is a donation centre set up in Terrace, BC.
Building stronger communities across Yukon with federal Gas Tax Fund
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
Investing in local infrastructure supports the unique needs of northern communities. The governments of Canada and Yukon are investing in modern public infrastructure that will help create jobs, while improving Northern Canadians’ quality of life and contributing to stronger communities.
The Government of Canada delivered the first of two $8.25-million annual instalments of the federal Gas Tax Fund to Yukon. In total, the territory will be provided with $16.5 million this year through the fund.
Yukon to assist BC fire evacuees
The Government of Yukon received a formal request today from the Province of British Columbia to provide emergency social services support to BC residents who have been impacted by wildfires in the Telegraph Creek area.
The Yukon government is establishing a reception centre in Whitehorse to provide this support to those who need it. Reception centres are already operating in Dease Lake, Iskut and Terrace, BC.
The Whitehorse reception centre will, if required:
2015 Minto Mine Socio-Economic Monitoring Report released
Joint news release with Selkirk First Nation and Minto Explorations Ltd.
Selkirk First Nation, Minto Explorations Ltd. and the Government of Yukon today released the Minto Mine Socio-Economic Monitoring Program’s 2015 Annual Report.
This Annual Report provides baseline information and trends from the start of the mine’s life in 2005 until the end of 2015.
By working together, the parties are better able to monitor commitments and assess effects arising from the mine, as well as plan for future resource activities.
Government of Yukon seeks feedback on proposed lobbyist registry
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input on the development of new lobbying legislation that would establish a mandatory, publicly-accessible lobbyist registry.
The proposed legislation would make registration mandatory for lobbyists, allowing Yukoners to know who is communicating with elected officials and public servants, and on what topics.
Territorial health and social services Ministers discuss shared priorities
Joint news release with the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut
In advance of the meeting in Halifax of Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services, health and social services Ministers from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut met to discuss key areas of strategic collaboration to improve outcomes in health and social services across the North.
Liquor Act engagement What We Heard progress report released today
The Government of Yukon has released a progress report on the Liquor Act review ongoing engagement process. The What We Heard document reflects the views of Yukoners on a topic which is clearly of interest to community members.
Starting in December 2017 the Yukon Liquor Corporation hosted 44 meetings in 14 communities. Nearly 450 Yukon citizens participated in the survey. Government of Yukon officials heard from First Nation, municipalities, local advisory councils, licensees, health professionals, non-government organizations and members of the public.
Senior leadership changes in the public service
Premier Sandy Silver has appointed Pamela Muir as the new Public Service Commissioner and Ed van Randen as acting Deputy Minister at the Department of Environment.
Tom Ullyett, the Deputy Minister for the Department of Justice, has been acting Public Service Commissioner since December 2016. Ullyett will retire from the Government of Yukon in September 2018. Muir will start on September 10.
Joe MacGillivray, Deputy Minister with the Department of Environment, is leaving the Government of Yukon. Van Randen will start on August 1.
No Name brand chicken burgers linked to national Salmonella outbreak
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has linked No Name brand chicken burgers to a recent outbreak of Salmonella infection. The packages, which were removed from store shelves in June, have a best before date of February 6, 2019 and were sold in 1 kilogram packages throughout Canada, including multiple locations in Yukon.
2018–19 hunting season in Ross River area
The Government of Yukon wants to ensure hunters are safe, respectful and clear about their legal obligations while hunting in the Ross River area this season.
The Department of Environment and Minister Pauline Frost are working closely with the Ross River Dena Council and Chief Jack Caesar to ensure a collaborative approach and understanding of hunting, fish and wildlife concerns in the Ross River area, as well as long-term solutions to protect habitat areas and jointly manage the impact of harvesting activities.
Eight projects receive Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funds
Eight community-led projects focused on crime prevention are receiving $121,768 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust.
Many of the projects receiving funding aim to reach youth and provide opportunities for them to form relationships and build life skills. They open up possibilities for youth to create healthy lifestyles through sport, music and cultural camps and programming.
Second phase of Carcross/Tagish First Nation Learning Centre complete
Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Carcross/Tagish First Nation residents now have access to a new Language Hub and meeting spaces for youth and Elders, as well as for their heritage and archives materials and document management systems. The second phase of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Learning Centre is now complete and provides additional space for the community to expand its traditional and modern learning facilities.
Government of Canada invests $30 million to support health care services in Yukon
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
Canada’s universal, publicly funded health system is a source of pride for Canadians. The Government of Canada is working with territories to strengthen health care and adapt the system to the challenges of delivering health care in the North.
2018–19 Permit Hunt will go ahead, despite errors found in redraw
Following the July 10 redraw of the 2018–19 Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) lottery, additional data errors were discovered. The errors are a result of duplicate client application histories that were not properly cross-referenced prior to the draw. Approximately 300 individuals were affected by the errors.
Given that the hunting season starts on August 1, and hunters need time to plan and prepare, a further redraw will not take place. Permits issued through the July 10th redraw are valid for the 2018–19 hunting season. No returned permits will be reissued prior to August 1.
Yukon Premier to make sure infrastructure investment fits territory’s needs
At the meeting of Canada’s Premiers that ended in New Brunswick today, Yukon Premier Sandy Silver stressed that territories and provinces must have the flexibility to spend federal infrastructure funding where it is most needed.
Territorial Premiers commit to working with new federal Ministers to advance the needs of northerners
Joint news release with the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Nunavut
(Moncton, NB) Northern Premiers today extend their congratulations to new members of the Government of Canada’s Cabinet and look forward to working with all Ministers and the Prime Minister to continue to advance northern priorities.
Yukon’s policing priorities set for 2018–19
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has communicated four policing priorities for 2018–19 to the Yukon RCMP that focus on addressing violence against women, responding to serious and organized crime and building stronger relationships with First Nations, communities and youth.
Yukon’s annual policing priorities are informed by the Minister of Justice from recommendations given by the Yukon Police Council, as well as information and analysis provided by the Government of Yukon’s Department of Justice.
