Yukon News Releases
Statement from Premier Pillai on Ukrainian Independence Day
Premier Pillai has issued the following statement:
“This Saturday, August 24, 2024, is the 33rd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day. In 1991, the Act of Declaration of Independence of Ukraine was adopted by the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, creating the country’s own pathway for independent governance and sovereignty. This declaration affirms that the state of Ukraine is indivisible and will be ruled only by its own constitution.
Residential lot lotteries open for Faro, Carmacks and Lone Tree subdivision
As part of its efforts to work in collaboration with municipalities and Yukon First Nations governments to address housing and business space needs across the territory, the Government of Yukon has released 33 new residential lots across the Yukon. Twelve lots are available in Carmacks and Faro and 21 country residential lots are now available in the Lone Tree subdivision north of Teslin. Lot availability is guided by official area plans and community input, and interested buyers can participate in a public lottery to secure these new properties.
Statement from Minister Richard Mostyn on joint investment in wildland firefighting with Government of Canada
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn has issued the following statement:
Today we joined our federal partners the Government of Canada at Wildland Fire Management’s Yukon Fire Centre in Whitehorse. We are proud to officially announce a joint funding agreement which will increase the Yukon’s capacity to respond to wildfires in communities across the territory.
The Government of Yukon wishes Team Yukon ‘Good Luck’ ahead of the Canada 55+ Games
The Government of Yukon extends its best wishes to the athletes, organizing committee, mission staff and cheerleaders representing the territory at the Canada 55+ Games, taking place August 27 to 30 in Quebec City.
The Government of Yukon is proud to support and fund Team Yukon’s participation in this major sporting event, providing $75,000 in funding. Additionally, the Sport and Recreation Branch supports Team Yukon by helping with administration and organizational efforts before, during and after the Games.
Government of Yukon and Safe at Home Society announce progress in transforming the former High Country Inn
The Government of Yukon and the Safe at Home Society continue to make progress in transforming the former High Country Inn into The Hearth, a 67-unit permanent supportive housing project.
Demolition on The Hearth project is near completion and structural and exterior envelope upgrades are underway. This will allow interior construction to proceed through the winter months. The project remains on schedule, with a goal to open in late winter 2026.
Statement from Ministers on the transfer of two lots in Dawson from Parks Canada to the Government of Yukon
Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker and acting Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn have issued the following statement:
“The Government of Yukon strives to conserve our territory’s rich history by protecting heritage buildings and sites. It ensures that future generations can access places where history happened, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared past and building stronger communities.
Government of Yukon provides seventh technical briefing on the heap leach failure at Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine
On August 16, 2024, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee provided an update on the Government of Yukon’s recent legal action concerning Victoria Gold Corporation. Additional technical briefing materials were provided by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and the Department of Environment.
School bus routes available for 2024–25 school year
Whitehorse school bus routes for the 2024–25 school year can be found online. People registering on time has made it easier to plan effective bus routes.
Families who registered for the bus by June 14 received an email with their assigned bus route last week. Families who registered before the deadline and did not receive an email should contact student.transportation@yukon.ca or call 867-667-5172.
Government of Yukon releases What We Heard report on resource roads regulation
The Government of Yukon has released a What We Heard report following engagement on the proposed modernized regulation for resource roads. This report highlights feedback on resource roads regulation from Yukon First Nations, Indigenous transboundary groups, industry, the public and other stakeholders. This feedback will inform the new regulations being developed to ensure resource roads are managed in a sustainable manner reflective of Yukoners’ values.
Yukoners who participated in the public engagement opportunity told the Government of Yukon the following.
Additional leadership added to Energy, Mines and Resources to support the Eagle Mine emergency response
Effective immediately for a period of six months, Premier Ranj Pillai has appointed Dennis Berry, President of the Yukon Liquor Corporation as an interim Deputy Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. Dennis Berry will continue to hold his responsibilities for the Yukon Liquor Corporation.
As the head of the Eagle Mine emergency response, Deputy Minister Lauren Haney will continue to be responsible for the following branches: Mineral Resources, Yukon Geological Survey, Assessment and Abandoned Mines and Compliance, Monitoring and Inspection.
Senior leadership appointments in the Government of Yukon public service
Premier Ranj Pillai has appointed Meagan Lang as Public Service Commissioner. Tracy Allen has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Highways and Public Works, as current Deputy Minister Catherine Harwood is retiring.
Meagan Lang is an experienced lawyer in labour and employment law, administrative law and commercial litigation. Ms. Lang will start on September 3, 2024.
Tracy Allen is a seasoned executive leader with 24 years of experience in strategic leadership, capital and operational planning, and construction. Ms. Allen will start on September 3, 2024.
Nine Yukon community projects funded by the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust through spring 2024 intake
Through the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust, nine community-led projects received $407,974 during the spring 2024 funding intake. This funding helps Yukon organizations achieve their goals and develop projects that ultimately increase the health and wellness of Yukoners while building safer, more connected communities.
Updated requirements for Canadian dogs entering the United States
Yukoners planning to travel to the United States (US) on or after August 1, 2024, must meet new requirements if they want to bring their dogs over the border. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in May that dogs entering the US would require government veterinary confirmed rabies vaccination and microchip identification.
Minister Silver attends Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit in Whistler, BC
Minister Sandy Silver and Government of Yukon representatives attended the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) 2024 Annual Summit in Whistler, British Columbia.
Statement from Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker on additional inspector’s directions issued to Victoria Gold Corporation
Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker has issued the following statement:
“On Saturday, July 20, the Government of Yukon inspectors issued additional direction to Victoria Gold Corporation in relation to the company’s response to the heap leach failure that occurred on June 24.
“Inspector’s directions are issued to direct the company to undertake actions required to protect the environment and people.
The Government of Yukon advances territory-wide Regional Waste Service model in rural Yukon
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make rural communities more economically and environmentally sustainable, the Government of Yukon is investing in regional solid-waste facilities across the territory. Such investments ensure all Yukon residents can access full-service, solid-waste disposal facilities in their regions.
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meet to advance the resilience and growth of the sector
This is a joint news release between the Governments of Yukon and Canada.
Government of Yukon continues to provide updates on Victoria Gold’s Eagle Gold Mine heap leach failure
The Government of Yukon remains committed to protecting people, the environment, and ensuring transparency.
Yesterday, Government of Yukon officials, accompanied by Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker, provided a fourth technical briefing to update Yukoners on the government’s regulatory oversight and work with partners at the Victoria Gold Eagle Gold Mine site.
Water management:
Call for nominations for the Community Safety Awards
Recognizing that Yukoners across the territory contribute to community safety, Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee is encouraging Yukoners to nominate those who contribute to safer Yukon communities for the Minister of Justice Community Safety Award.
The nomination period for the 2024 Community Safety Awards is open now. Nominations will be accepted until August 15, 2024, at 11:59 pm. Successful recipients will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in November 2024.
New duplex opens in Dawson
The Government of Yukon is continuing work to help Yukoners find a place to call home. As part of its commitment to improving access to affordable housing across the territory, the Government of Yukon announces that two newly constructed units in Dawson are now available for Yukon Housing Corporation tenants.
