Yukon News Releases
Ground breaking celebration for the Nisutlin Bay Bridge replacement project
Today, Minister of Highways and Public Works Nils Clarke, Deputy Chief of Teslin Tlingit Council Alex Oakley and Mayor of Teslin Gord Curran attended a community celebration of the beginning of work on the new Nisutlin Bay Bridge replacement project.
In May, the contract for the project was awarded to Graham Infrastructure LP for $160 million. This summer Graham Infrastructure LP completed important preparation work to begin building the new bridge and work will continue throughout the year.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on privacy breach
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“On October 13, the Department of Health and Social Services was made aware of a privacy breach by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Government of Yukon completes handover of cannabis retail sales to private sector
The Yukon’s cannabis licensees now operate all retail locations, online sales and delivery. As of today, the Yukon Liquor Corporation’s Cannabis Yukon website will no longer sell cannabis products to Yukoners, leaving cannabis e-commerce to private licensees.
In May 2022, the Government of Yukon introduced regulations that allow licensed cannabis retailers in the Yukon to sell and deliver legal cannabis products to Yukoners. This fulfilled the Government of Yukon’s commitment to support the Yukon’s private cannabis industry.
Yukoners join worldwide earthquake drill this Thursday
At 10:20 am on Thursday, October 20, Yukoners will Drop, Cover and Hold On for the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill.
Millions of people worldwide will participate in the same drill, learning how to stay safe during an earthquake.
The Yukon Emergency Measures Organization is hosting earthquake preparedness activities and learning opportunities all week long. From October 17 to 21, Yukoners can learn more about earthquakes, seismic activity in the Yukon and how to prepare for an emergency. Yukon residents can also enter a contest to win individual or school prizes.
Midwifery Integration Amendments Act tabled
Today, Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 18, the Midwifery Integration Amendments Act. The proposed legislation would allow registered midwives working in the territory to better utilize their full scope of practice.
Eight community projects receive funding from Community Development Fund
The Community Development Fund has awarded a total of $133,279 in funding to eight community projects which will provide social, cultural and economic benefits to Yukoners and Yukon communities. The Japanese Canadian Association of Yukon, Les EssentiElles, Snowboard Yukon Association and Inclusion Yukon Society are just a few of the recipients of the most recent round of Tier 1 funding from the Community Development Fund.
Updated hours for the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
As part of the Government of Yukon’s shift away from the acute stage of the pandemic response and in response to lower lab-based PCR testing needs, starting October 22 the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC) hours of operation will be:
- Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm;
- closed between 12 and 12:30 pm; and
- closed Saturday and Sunday.
The CTAC will continue to offer lab-based PCR testing to people at high-risk of developing serious illness, such as:
Data breach under investigation
Yesterday the Government of Yukon was made aware of a breach of information. A private citizen appears to have obtained confidential government records that belong to the Department of Health and Social Services. The Government of Yukon is working in close cooperation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner as well as the RCMP to investigate the breach and mitigate potential risks. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Canada Games Centre receives two new electric Zamboni® machines
The City of Whitehorse purchased two new electric-powered Zamboni® ice resurfacers for the Canada Games Centre. The new machines were allocated with funding from the Canada Community-Building Fund at a total cost of $430,500.
Yesterday, Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn and City of Whitehorse Mayor Laura Cabott visited the Canada Games Centre to see one of the two electric ice resurfacers in action.
New Animal Protection and Control Act tabled
Today Minister of Environment Nils Clarke tabled Bill # 20, the new Animal Protection and Control Act in the Legislative Assembly.
The new Act will better enable animal control enforcement by providing tools to respond to high-risk and feral animals, updating animal welfare standards and regulating animal-related businesses.
Joint statement on the visit of Canada Winter Games Bid Evaluation Committee to Whitehorse
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Mayor of Whitehorse Laura Cabott and Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley have issued the following statements on the Canada Games Council’s Bid Evaluation Committee visit to the City of Whitehorse this week.
Carbon Price Rebate changes proposed to meet new federal requirements
An amended Yukon carbon pricing rebate for miners would maintain support for the trade-exposed industry while meeting new federal benchmark requirements. Today, Premier Sandy Silver tabled Bill No. 21, the Carbon Price Rebate Amendments Act, which would preserve and protect rebates for Yukon businesses, municipal governments and First Nations governments.
Technical Amendments Act tabled
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 19, entitled Technical Amendments Act (2022), today in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill includes amendments to three different Acts: the Land Titles Act, 2015; the Condominium Act, 2015 and the Corrections Act, 2009.
The Technical Amendments Act (2022) is designed to update legislation to align with operational requirements and to fix errors and align cross-references.
Amendments to Legal Profession Act, 2017 tabled
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 16 today, which proposes amendments to the Legal Profession Act, 2017.
The proposed amendments would allow Law Society of Yukon investigators to dismiss a complaint for justifiable reasons after it has been investigated. The complainants’ right to appeal a decision would be protected through this amendment. Additionally, the amendment includes a provision to provide immunity from legal actions for those who act in good faith on behalf of the Society.
Clean Energy Act tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Today, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker tabled Bill No. 17, the Clean Energy Act (2022) in the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
The Clean Energy Act would legislate the Yukon’s targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensure long-term climate change accountability through public reporting.
This proposed legislation would also enable the Government of Yukon to deliver on several key climate actions found in Our Clean Future: a Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
Flu shots available to Yukoners in October
On October 24, flu shots will be offered to high-risk Yukoners, seniors and Elders over the age of 65. Appointments for the general public aged six months and older will start the week of October 31.
High-risk Yukoners include people who are pregnant, have a chronic medical condition, infants and children age six to 59 months, residents of long-term care, health care providers, household contacts of those at high-risk, child care workers and workers that provide essential community services.
Yukon government receives second highest grade in the country in latest C.D. Howe Institute report card on fiscal transparency
The Government of Yukon received the second highest grade of all provinces and territories in the latest C.D. Howe Institute’s assessment on fiscal transparency of budget materials and financial statements.
Leaders discuss future collaboration at the Yukon Forum
This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments.
Today Premier Sandy Silver and his Cabinet, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and Yukon First Nations Chiefs met in Whitehorse for the third Yukon Forum of the year.
Active living celebrated at annual recreation gathering
Recreation leaders from across the Yukon celebrated excellence in community recreation and active living at the territory’s annual recreation gathering held in Dawson City from October 4 to October 6.
First Supplementary Estimates highlight inflation relief for Yukoners and funding for fire and flood mitigation
Today, Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the 2022–23 First Supplementary Estimates in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. It includes increases of $26.2 million in operations and maintenance and no changes in capital funding.
Spending increases are largely due to an unprecedented 2022 fire season as well as mitigation and clean-up work required in response to extensive flooding throughout the territory. Funding associated with these items make up approximately $20.2 million of total new spending.
