Yukon News Releases
Agreement reached between the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association have reached a new three-year agreement for services covering the period from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2025.
The agreement is expected to increase equity and access to health services, promote a culture of continuous improvement and support the development of primary care teams. Highlights include:
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on track to become statutory day in the Yukon
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn has announced the Yukon plans to mark September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as a statutory day starting in 2023 to commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada. The Government of Yukon will table amendments to the Employment Standards Act in the spring of 2023.
Last month the Government of Yukon published a What We Heard report following a public engagement on creating a new statutory day to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Housing Summit creates opportunity for new collaborations
On October 4, the Government of Yukon met with housing sector representatives, stakeholders, and advocates to address the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) report on housing and identify ways to end homelessness in the Yukon. The summit raised awareness on the ongoing challenges of homelessness and core housing, new and innovative housing developments, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships across the sector.
Safer Schools Action Plan fall update
The Government of Yukon has completed 13 of the 23 commitments in the Safer Schools Action Plan, representing significant progress to address policy gaps and enhance safety and oversight across all Yukon schools and government departments. All 23 commitments in the plan are on track to be completed by spring 2023.
Since the last update in July, key milestones reached include:
2022 fall sitting of Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2022 fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 pm on Thursday, October 6.
Several new Bills will be tabled for debate, including:
Two Yukon school boards and one school council will hold general elections in November
The Yukon’s two school boards, the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon (CSFY) and the newly established First Nation School Board (FNSB) will hold general elections on November 7 to elect school board trustees.
School board trustees oversee the management and operations of those schools under the school board they are elected to. They work in partnership with the Department of Education to deliver educational programs that meet the needs of students and legislated requirements.
Government of Yukon advances new recreation centre in Dawson
This is a joint news release with the City of Dawson and Tr'ondëk Hwëchin First Nation.
The Government of Yukon, City of Dawson and Tr'ondëk Hwëchin First Nation are pleased to confirm today that plans for a new recreation centre in the community are well underway.
A feasibility study for the project was completed last year, with Dawson City Council proposing the building site at the base of the Dome Road on the corner of the North Klondike Highway.
Statement from Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee on a serious incident involving the RCMP
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“A critical incident occurred on the evening of September 28, 2022, involving the RCMP in Whitehorse. We have learned that a member of the Yukon RCMP was shot and sustained serious injuries in the line of duty. A suspect was also shot and sustained serious injuries.
New regulations for the Condominium Act, 2015 come into force on October 1
New regulations for the Condominium Act, 2015 will come into force on October 1, 2022.
The new legislation provides additional rights and protection measures for buyers, owners and renters of condominiums, as well as provisions that ensure responsible development and governance of condominiums in the Yukon.
Pre-existing condominiums and those created after October 1, 2022, will have different requirements under the new Act:
Statement on the one-year anniversary of the Supervised Consumption Site
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“Today marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Yukon’s Supervised Consumption Site.
“This new facility in Whitehorse represents an important step in our government’s work to address the problematic substance use through harm reduction initiatives and a public health approach.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“Tomorrow is the second year that we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“This is a day to mourn all that was lost as a result of Canada’s residential school system – the lives of children, adults, Indigenous languages and culture.
“It is also a day to hold space for the Survivors, their families and communities. On this day we honour the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities across Canada in the face of seemingly insurmountable pain and trauma.
Government of Yukon invests in Trans Canada Trail upgrades
The Government of Yukon supports active living and congratulates the Village of Haines Junction on the completion of the newly paved and multi-use, Trans Canada Trail leading from the Village of Haines Junction to Pine Lake Campground.
Active transportation not only helps support healthy living but also supports a cleaner and more sustainable future for the Yukon. Improving trail infrastructure will help reduce carbon emissions and promote a more active lifestyle for those wanting to access the Pine Lake Campground from Haines Junction and vice versa.
New rebate launched to offset increased cost of firewood for home heating
Today, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources John Streicker announced a new firewood rebate to provide financial relief for Yukoners buying firewood to heat their homes. The rebate is available to Yukon households and provides $50 for each cord of firewood purchased, to a maximum of 10 cords, to offset home heating costs.
Applicants must submit a proof of delivery form signed by their firewood supplier when applying for the rebate. The new rebate is available for firewood purchased between April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Statement from Minister Clarke and Minister Streicker on the Yukon Climate Leadership Council’s report
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke has issued the following statement:
“Climate change is the biggest challenge of our generation. We released the Our Clean Future strategy in 2020 to provide a blueprint for the territory to address the climate emergency. While Our Clean Future is ambitious, new and revised actions are necessary to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals.
Council of the Federation Literacy Award presented to Donald Inverarity
Donald Inverarity is the Yukon’s recipient of the 2022 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. This award celebrates the transformative role Donald has played in developing adult literacy across the territory since 1974. It especially recognizes Donald’s pioneering work in digital literacy and technology education. Premier Sandy Silver presented the award to Donald today at a small ceremony held at the Jim Smith Building with family, friends and colleagues in attendance.
Inflation Relief Rebate expanded to help Yukoners and businesses offset the impacts of increased cost of living
The Government of Yukon has announced an expansion of the $150 Inflation Relief Rebate to reduce the impacts that inflation continues to have on Yukoners. The rebate will be applied automatically to all residential and commercial ATCO Electric Yukon and Yukon Energy electricity bills, regardless of usage.
The rebate will appear as a $50 credit, each month for an additional three months, on all residential and commercial electricity customers starting this October and will run through to December.
TechYukon now accepting applications for the Canada Digital Adoption Program
The Canadian Digital Adoption Program, which provides support to help local businesses boost their digital presence or establish an e-commerce platform, is now open for Yukon businesses to apply. Each successful recipient will receive a micro-grant of up to $5,000 along with advisory support. In addition to funding and support to businesses, the program also creates training and work opportunities for young Canadians.
Phase two of Mental Wellness Summit builds momentum to increase mental wellness supports and address substance use in the Yukon
Phase two of the 2022 Mental Wellness Summit was held on September 21 to September 23 at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre and Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.
Close to 350 people attended the three-day event, which was hosted in person and virtually by the Government of Yukon in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations.
New measures to support Yukoners most affected by inflation
Today, the Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee announced new measures that will put more money in the pockets of Yukoners who are most affected by global inflation. The new measures focus on providing support to low-income Yukoners, seniors, social assistance recipients and caregivers of children.
These measures include:
Canada announces funding for new school in Burwash Landing
This is a joint news release with the Government of Canada and Kluane First Nation.
