Yukon News Releases
Carmacks becomes latest municipality to sign interim regional waste management facility agreement
The Government of Yukon and the Village of Carmacks are pleased to announce the signing of an interim regional solid waste management facility agreement.
Carmacks joins Watson Lake and Teslin in the signing of these new agreements, which provide financial support to rural municipalities to modernize solid waste facilities and extend waste management services to unincorporated residents within a regional boundary.
Joint Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn on National Drowning Prevention Awareness Week
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn have issued the following statement:
“Sunday marked the start of National Drowning Prevention Awareness Week, a crucial initiative started by the Lifesaving Society to raise awareness about water safety and drowning prevention.
Statement from Minister Nils Clarke on Wild About Wildlife Month
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke has issued the following statement:
“July is Wild About Wildlife Month, a time to celebrate the beauty and importance of wildlife and its critical role in our ecosystem. Yukoners and visitors alike value the remarkable diversity of wildlife species found in the territory, recognizing the vital connection between a thriving environment with healthy wildlife populations and the well-being of communities.
Statement from the Government of Yukon on the death of an NWT Fire firefighter
Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn and the Yukon Wildland Fire Management branch have issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon and Wildland Fire Management send our deepest condolences to the Northwest Territories after the death of an NWT Fire firefighter in the Fort Liard District.
“During wildfire season, Yukon firefighters often stand together with responders from NWT and BC on the fireline. Today, we are with our neighbours in spirit as we face this devastating loss.
Yukon 125 Fund recipients announced
This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Historical & Museums Association.
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA) are pleased to announce the recipients of the Yukon 125 Fund.
The Government of Yukon provides more than $1.7 million in funding to territorial sport and recreation organizations
The Government of Yukon, in partnership with Lotteries Yukon and Sport Canada, is investing over $1.7 million in territorial sport organizations, special recreation groups, athletes and officials through four funding streams.
Statement from the Government of Yukon on the death of a BC Wildfire Service firefighter
Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, and the Yukon Wildland Fire Management branch have issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon and Wildland Fire Management send our deepest condolences to British Columbia today after the death of a BC Wildfire Service firefighter.
“As wildfire season continues, we are constantly reminded of the selfless efforts of firefighters to fight for our safety. The loss of this BC Wildfire Service firefighter, suffered in the line of duty, is felt deeply by all Yukoners.
Joint Statement from Minister of Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on International Non-Binary People’s Day
Minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean and Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee have issued the following statement:
“On July 14, International Non-Binary People’s Day is a day to celebrate and raise awareness of individuals who exist outside of the gender binary.
The Government of Yukon wishes Team Yukon good luck at the North American Indigenous Games
The Yukon government wishes all the members of Team Yukon good luck as they begin travelling to the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth, Millbrook First Nation and Sipekne'katik in Nova Scotia. The Games will take place for the 10th time on July 15 to 23, 2023.
Team Yukon is composed of more than 130 athletes, cultural performers, coaches and support staff who represent eight different Yukon communities. Yukon athletes will compete in 11 of 16 sports, including 3D archery and canoe/kayak.
Minister McLean attends national Early Learning and Child Care meeting
Minister Jeanie McLean joined federal, provincial and territorial ministers in Iqaluit, Nunavut this week where discussions focused on the three pillars of the multilateral early childhood educator workforce strategy framework: recruitment, retention and recognition. The Minister shared the Government of Yukon’s work, since implementing universal child care, to recognize and value the work of early childhood educators in the territory.
Statement from Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee on the 25th anniversary of the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin Final and Self-Government agreements and completion of Jëje Zho
Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“Congratulations to the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Government on 25 years of self-government. On July 16, 1998, the Yukon, federal and Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in governments signed the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Final and Self-Government agreements. I was honoured to represent Premier Ranj Pillai and join the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in in the celebrations today in Dawson City as well as participate in the naming ceremony and opening of Jëje Zho, the new men’s shelter.
Minister McLean attends 111th Council of Ministers of Education meeting
The Government of Yukon is committed to working with federal and territorial counterparts to promote access to Indigenous knowledge and improve our education system overall. On July 10, 2023, Minister Jeanie McLean represented the Yukon at the 111th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) in Saskatoon, chaired by Saskatchewan’s Minister of Advanced Education and Chair of CMEC Gordon Wyant, K.C.
Forty-one additional campsites now open at the Congdon Creek Campground
On July 21, join Minister Nils Clarke and campers for a free BBQ celebration at the Congdon Creek Campground for the opening of an additional 41 campsites.
These campsites bring the total number of campsites at Congdon Creek Campground to 103. This campground is approximately a two and a half hour drive from Whitehorse located at milepost 1071.5 on the Alaska Highway on the western shore of Kluane Lake, also known in Southern Tutchone as Łù'àn Män. It offers spectacular views with plenty of activities to do along the way.
Council of the Federation summer meeting concludes
The Government of Yukon is committed to fostering collaboration with other provinces and territories to help strengthen and grow the territory, the North and the broader country for generations to come.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai attended the Council of the Federation summer meeting in Winnipeg, Manitoba this week where he discussed these and other shared priorities with his fellow Premiers from across the country.
At this meeting, Premier Pillai brought the Yukon’s perspectives and interests to discussions on a diverse range of issues, including:
Proactive maintenance continues this summer at Yukon schools
Recognizing the importance of maintaining educational facilities, the Government of Yukon undertakes a range of maintenance activities in Yukon schools every year. This work addresses infrastructure service needs to ensure Yukon schools are safe environments for all students and staff.
Some notable examples of larger projects in the past year include:
Whitehorse Public Library temporarily changing its hours
The Whitehorse Public Library will have new temporary public hours beginning July 12.
On Mondays, the library will be open from 12 pm to 6 pm and from Tuesday to Sunday it will be open from 10 am to 6 pm. These temporarily reduced hours will be in effect until July 31.
This change only affects the Whitehorse Public Library.
The e-library, the drop box and other online resources will be available 24/7. All scheduled programming will continue as planned. Patrons can look forward to the library returning to regular hours in August.
Government of Yukon accepts housing recommendations from the Yukon Standing Committee on Public Accounts
The Yukon government is committed to creating meaningful change that benefits vulnerable Yukoners and will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to ensure that all Yukoners have a place to call home.
On behalf of the Government of Yukon, the Yukon Housing Corporation (YHC) and the Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) have accepted all recommendations from the Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.
Northern Premiers issue Pan-Northern Statement on Senate Committee’s Arctic Security Report
Premier of the Northwest Territories and Chair of the Northern Premiers’ Forum Caroline Cochrane, Premier Ranj Pillai and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok have issued the following statement on the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs’ report entitled Arctic Security Under Threat: Urgent needs in a changing geopolitical and environmental landscape:
Government of Yukon expands organics composting to Carcross, Tagish, Deep Creek and Marsh Lake solid waste facilities
The Government of Yukon is taking another important step towards a modern and sustainable solid waste management system across the territory. Effective July 5, 2023, users of the Carcross, Tagish, Deep Creek and Marsh Lake solid waste facilities can compost their organic waste.
Premier Pillai to attend Council of the Federation meeting
Premier Ranj Pillai will attend the Council of the Federation meeting of Canadian Premiers from July 10 to 12 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The meeting presents an opportunity to share the priorities of Yukoners, while engaging on common issues facing all Canadians.
On July 11, discussions will focus on the state of the federation, health care, labour force and immigration, public safety, Arctic security and sovereignty, and affordability and housing.
