Yukon News Releases
Statement from Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker on National Forest Week
Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker has issued the following statement:
“Each year, National Forest Week (NFW) is celebrated across Canada to educate, raise awareness and foster connection to our rich and vital forest ecosystems.
“Across the Yukon, we have over 28 million hectares of forests that play a vital role in our ecological, cultural, social and economic welfare.
Yukon Public Libraries eliminate late fees
This news release has been updated to correct the number of days before a charge will apply to late materials.
Yukon public library users have more reason to celebrate as Libraries Month approaches: Yukon libraries will no longer be charging late fees.
Yukon Public Libraries are joining libraries across North America in removing barriers by eliminating overdue fines and outstanding balances for late returns so users feel comfortable accessing library resources and services.
Statement from Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker on Tr'ondëk-Klondike being inscribed to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites
Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker has issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon wishes to congratulate the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in on the inscription of Tr'ondëk-Klondike to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Statement from Premier Pillai on Ganesh Chaturthi
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“Today is the start of Ganesh Chaturthi, an important annual Hindu festival.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day celebration of the birth of the Hindu god Ganesh. Known as the remover of obstacles and the guardian of esoteric knowledge, Ganesh is celebrated with a variety of rituals, including creating idols of Ganesh out of clay and decorating them with flowers. At the end of the 10 days, the idols are carried to a river and immersed in the water to symbolise Ganesh’s return to the sacred Mount Kailash.
Village of Carmacks celebrates the opening of its new firehall
On September 16, the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and the Village of Carmacks celebrated the opening of the new Carmacks firehall. The celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours, demonstrations and a community barbecue.
The new, modern firehall features fire apparatus bays, which are designated areas within a fire station where firefighting vehicles and equipment are stored and maintained, as well as Emergency Medical Services space, a training room, a business centre and support spaces.
Statement from Minister of Education and the Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean on Gender Equality Week
Minister of Education and the Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean has issued the following statement:
“Every September, we mark Gender Equality Week in the Yukon. It’s not just a nod to progress or ideals but a celebration of a fundamental human right that everyone deserves. Gender equality means embracing and valuing everyone, be they women, men, neither, both or anywhere on the gender spectrum.
Yukon Permanent Art Collection exhibits new acquisitions
An exhibition featuring 18 new works added to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection opened today in the main foyer of the Jim Smith Building in Whitehorse.
Featuring a wide range of media including painting, sculpture, textile, printmaking and fine craft, Out in the Open explores the artistic inspiration and influence of the Yukon’s vastness.
Update on Government of Yukon service outages due to cyberattack
On September 14, the Government of Yukon experienced a cyberattack targeted at Yukon.ca resulting in services being intermittent or unavailable from approximately 12 am to 4 pm. The attack is continuing, however, efforts to mitigate the attack have been effective and approximately 90 per cent of government services were restored by the morning of September 15. There is no evidence that this attack resulted in any unauthorized access to private citizen data, government systems or government files.
Whitehorse vaccine clinic moving to new location
The Whitehorse vaccine clinic is relocating to Northern Vision Development (NVD) Place at the corner of 4th Avenue and Ogilvie. The clinic was previously operating out of the Yukon Convention Centre. This move is part of the Government of Yukon’s efforts to integrate COVID-19 supports into ongoing health service operations.
Statement from Premier Pillai on Rosh Hashanah
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“This evening at sunset, Jewish communities across Canada and around the world will begin celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
“Rosh Hashanah is a two-day observation and celebration marking the beginning of the 10-day High Holidays before Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This period is a time for introspection, to reflect on the previous year and to seek reconciliation in preparation for the year to come.
Statement from Minister of Education on the Yukon RCMP investigation at Jack Hulland Elementary School
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean has issued the following statement:
“The Yukon RCMP announced today that they have completed their investigation into allegations regarding the use of holds and isolation spaces at Jack Hulland Elementary School and are now preparing a comprehensive final report.
“While the conclusion of the RCMPs investigation represents a significant milestone in this investigation, which has been ongoing since November 2021, it does not yet provide families with answers.
2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners, allies and government service providers encouraged to participate in survey on Inclusion Action Plan
The Government of Yukon has released an online survey to check in with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community on the Yukon government’s progress on the five-year LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan.
The Yukon government released the Inclusion Action Plan in 2021 to ensure its services and programs are inclusive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. One of the plan’s key commitments is to conduct a survey with 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners and allies every two years. Results from the survey will:
Premier, Minister and Yukon business delegation conclude Tokyo portion of Asia mission, sign tourism agreement
Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and Tourism and Culture John Streicker and a Yukon business delegation have concluded business development meetings in Tokyo and signed a tourism agreement with Japanese tour companies. Premier Pillai and the business delegation will continue the Asia mission in the coming days in Trivandrum, India.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on National Suicide Prevention Week
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
Tickets now available for the 2023 United Way Breakfast
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way Breakfast fundraiser on Friday, October 6 at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre from 7 to 10:30 am.
Government of Yukon shares literacy and numeracy strategies for Yukon Education schools
September 8 is International Literacy Day, a time to recognize the importance of literacy as a foundation for lifelong learning and development and as a matter of human rights and dignity.
Literacy and numeracy are two important skills that develop during early childhood. They are a key component of student success, and the Government of Yukon is committed to improving these skills for students across the territory.
Premier, Minister and business delegation leave on Asia mission
Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and Tourism and Culture John Streicker, and a Yukon business delegation departed today on a mission to Tokyo, Japan, and Trivandrum and New Delhi, India. The Premier and Minister met briefly with the Consul General of Japan Mr. Maruyama and Consul General of India Mr. Manish in Vancouver before their departure.
The business delegation accompanying the Premier and Minister includes:
Statement from Premier Ranj Pillai and Minister Richard Mostyn on Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
Premier Ranj Pillai and Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn have issued the following statement:
“Since the day’s establishment in 2017, Canadians have paused on the second Sunday in September to remember firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
“On Sunday, September 10, we will join all Yukoners in observing Firefighters’ National Memorial Day. This day commemorates the courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment of firefighters and remembers those firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day and Month
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“September 9 is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, part of the broader FASD Awareness Month. The theme this year is Uniting our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together, which serves as a reminder that FASD is more than just an individual issue, but an important focus for the whole community.
Statement from Minister of Education on the Yukon Ombudsman’s report on their Hidden Valley investigation
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean has responded to the Yukon Ombudsman report part one on the 2019 Hidden Valley Elementary School incident:
“The Government of Yukon has reviewed the Yukon Ombudsman’s first report on its investigation into the 2019 Hidden Valley Elementary School incident. We find this report to be aligned with the assessment provided by Amanda Rogers in her Independent Review Report.
