Yukon News Releases
Team Yukon’s Canada Winter Games a huge success
Over 170 Yukon athletes, coaches, and mission staff traveled to Prince Edward Island from February 18 to March 5 to compete at the 2023 Canada Winter Games. It was a successful two weeks of personal bests, historic moments and podium finishes as Team Yukon competed in 15 of the 20 scheduled sports.
Yukon Government announces third extension of Inflation Relief Rebate
The Government of Yukon is committed to making life more affordable for Yukoners and lowering the cost of living and doing business in our territory. To reduce the continued impacts of inflation on Yukoners, the Minister responsible for the Yukon Development Corporation, John Streicker, is announcing an extension of the $150 Inflation Relief Rebate on electricity bills. This rebate will again be applied automatically to ATCO Electric Yukon and Yukon Energy electricity bills, regardless of usage.
Yukon government tables bill to streamline effectiveness of municipal and local advisory councils
Keeping with the Government of Yukon’s commitment to work in partnership with municipal governments to effectively deliver services for Yukoners, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn today tabled Bill No. 26, an amendment to the Municipal Act, which would increase terms of office for elected members of Yukon municipal and local advisory councils from three years to four. This change would support municipal leadership in meeting the long-term needs of growing Yukon communities.
Government of Yukon tables Bill 27 to reduce red tape
The Government of Yukon has tabled Bill 27, the Community Services Statutes Law Amendment Act (2023), in the Legislative Assembly. The new legislation reduces red tape, removes unnecessary barriers to online licensing, modernizes the process of doing business and makes it easier for people to get things done when interacting with the Yukon government.
Three schools to transition to the First Nation School Board
This is a joint release with the Government of Yukon’s Department of Education and the First Nation School Board.
The Department of Education and the First Nation School Board are pleased to announce that the following schools have voted to join the school board starting with the 2023-24 school year:
Budget invests in Yukoners’ health, housing and wellbeing to create a place everyone can call home
Today, Finance Minister Sandy Silver released the Government of Yukon’s 2023-24 Budget.
Budget 2023-24 shows how the Government of Yukon is making life more affordable for Yukoners while continuing to invest building our clean, green future; growing a strong, resilient economy; and moving forward on reconciliation, so that the Yukon can truly be a place everyone can call home.
Premier Pillai issues mandate letters to Cabinet Ministers
On March 1, 2023, Premier Ranj Pillai presented mandate letters to each Cabinet Minister outlining their responsibilities for implementing the government’s commitments to Yukoners.
Mandate letters focus the government’s resources on specific commitments and help Ministers set priorities within their portfolios.
Department of Education releases progress report to Standing Committee on Public Accounts
The Department of Education has released a progress report to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts of the Yukon Legislative Assembly regarding its ongoing work to transform and reimagine the Yukon’s school system.
This document provides summary updates on actions the department has taken to address the recommendations in the 2019 Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Kindergarten through Grade 12 education in the Yukon.
Leadership update in the Department of Justice
Premier Ranj Pillai has announced a senior leadership change for the Department of Justice.
Mark Radke will move from his position as Assistant Deputy Minister of Legal Services with the Department of Justice to take on the role of Deputy Minister. This appointment is effective immediately.
Statement from Premier Pillai on Russian invasion of Ukraine
Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
“Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of the largest military conflicts and humanitarian crises in Europe since the end of World War II.
“Since the invasion was launched on February 24, 2022, there has been has untold misery, devastation and destruction across Ukraine. I join the international community in continuing to condemn the invasion.
The Yukon’s minimum wage to increase to $16.77 per hour
Effective April 1, 2023, the Yukon’s minimum wage will increase from $15.70 to $16.77 per hour. This increase is based on the 2022 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse which is 6.8 per cent.
The rise in inflation is increasing costs of everyday life for all Yukoners. This increase will help people earning minimum wage to afford necessities. It will also help businesses attract and retain employees.
Premier Pillai welcomes Japanese Consul General Maruyama to the Yukon
Today in Whitehorse, Premier Ranj Pillai met with Consul General of Japan for Vancouver Mr. Kohei Maruyama to discuss shared priorities of the Yukon and Japan.
Building on the Premier’s discussions with the Japanese Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Kanji Yamanouchi, earlier this month in Ottawa, the meeting was an opportunity to strengthen Yukon-Japan relationships, share common interests and explore new opportunities.
The Government of Yukon and Connective to operate supervised community housing program for women in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations
This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and Connective.
Governments of Canada and Yukon invest in expanded services for City of Whitehorse
This is a joint news release between the governments of Canada and Yukon and the City of Whitehorse.
Today, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Member of Parliament for Yukon Dr. Brendan Hanley and Mayor of the City of Whitehorse Laura Cabott announced $4.2 million in joint funding for the purchase of two 40-foot accessible buses and for upgrades to the Whitehorse Waste Management Facility Transfer Station.
2023 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2023 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 pm on Thursday, March 2.
The 2023–24 Budget will be introduced along with a 2022–23 Second Supplementary Estimates. The Government of Yukon will also release its Five-Year Capital Plan and the Fiscal and Economic Outlook for 2023–24.
Please note the legislative assembly will not sit on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023.
Government of Yukon provides funding to support response to escarpment slide
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn announced today the Government of Yukon will provide $2 million in funding to the City of Whitehorse to offset costs resulting from their response to the 2022 escarpment slide on Robert Service Way.
In the spring of 2022, a landslide occurred on the escarpment along Robert Service Way and the Yukon River. The slide forced the closure of the roadway as well as the Millennium and Airport trails for approximately six weeks, as tension cracks were observed and slides occurred elsewhere along the escarpment.
Yukon municipalities sign on to Better Buildings program
All of the Yukon’s eight municipalities have signed agreements to participate in delivering the Government of Yukon’s Better Buildings program. This means all Yukon residential and commercial property owners throughout the Yukon can access low-interest funding to make energy-efficiency retrofits to their homes and businesses.
The Better Buildings program provides up to $50,000 for residential and $100,000 for commercial buildings for upgrades that reduce annual energy consumption. Eligible participants repay through local improvement charges added to their annual property taxes.
Team Yukon ready for the 2023 Canada Winter Games
Team Yukon is back in action for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. More than 170 Yukon athletes, coaches and mission staff will represent the territory at the country’s largest multi-sport competition from February 18 to March 5.
Team Yukon will have athletes competing in 15 of the 20 sports on the schedule including archery, which is making its return to the Games.
Leading Team Yukon into the opening ceremonies as flag bearer will be hockey player Gavin McKenna.
Premier Pillai advances negotiations for increased federal health funding
Premier Ranj Pillai met in Whitehorse today with the federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Dominic LeBlanc and federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.
Today’s discussions built on progress from last week’s working meeting of First Ministers on health care in Ottawa and advanced Yukon-specific negotiations on bilateral agreements on health care funding.
Commissioner of Yukon launches new funding program for Yukon Francophonie Day
To encourage opportunities for all Yukoners to participate in Yukon Francophonie Day celebrations a $15,000 annual funding program is being launched by the Commissioner of Yukon.
The funding will support community groups, businesses, municipalities and educational institutions in organizing local events promoting the vitality and diversity of the Yukon Francophone community.
To be eligible, events must:
