Yukon News Releases
New Community Services Building opens in Faro
On September 8, the new Faro Community Services Building officially opened its doors and welcomed Yukoners for a tour of the new space.
The 1,229-square-metre facility was designed to meet the Town of Faro’s unique needs and will house emergency and community services. The new building is also designed to exceed minimum energy efficiency standards by 25 per cent.
The building includes seven vehicle bays, staff offices, shared meeting rooms, parts and tool storage, a morgue and decontamination areas.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee issued the following statement:
“September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month and I want to thank everyone who is helping increase awareness and understanding about this challenging condition and the supports available to those living with FASD.
City of Whitehorse and Government of Yukon congratulate Bid Committee on 2027 Canada Winter Games submission
The Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse would like to thank the 2027 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee for sharing its proposal to host the 2027 Canada Winter Games.
This national-class sporting event will see more than 2,000 of Canada’s most promising athletes challenge themselves and each other across 21 different sports.
The Yukon to observe National Day of Mourning to mark passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Please note this release has been updated to reflect that Courts will remain open.
The Government of Canada has announced that September 19, 2022, will be a National Day of Mourning to coincide with the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II which is taking place that day at Westminister Abbey. The Yukon will be following the lead of the federal government and joining other provinces and territories in observing the National Day of Mourning as a one-time holiday for territorial public sector employees.
Rugged Apprentices pilot program completes three voluntourism projects in Yukon communities
From September 7 to 9, 33 volunteers from across Canada worked on a tourism-related community project in one of three Yukon communities as part of the Government of Yukon’s Rugged Apprentices pilot program. This program offered volunteers a unique opportunity to experience the Yukon, while also helping to improve tourism infrastructure and local attractions.
Ready-to-Learn Schools program launched in more Yukon schools
This year, the Ready-to-Learn Schools program will launch in Yukon schools across the territory.
The universal support program will train teachers and staff to create learning environments that are developmentally responsive, while recognizing that a child’s chronological age may not match their emotional, cognitive or social age. It will also help educators understand how prolonged exposure to toxic stress impacts brain development, functioning and learning.
COVID-19 booster approved and available for children ages five and over
The Government of Yukon is expanding boosters to children ages five and older following the Health Canada approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty children’s booster dose and recommendations from the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
To be eligible for a booster dose, six months must have passed since the completion of a primary series. In addition, for children who have recently had COVID-19, a booster is not recommended until at least three months have passed since symptoms started or testing positive.
Statement from Minister Ranj Pillai on Hecla Mining Company’s acquisition of Alexco Resource Corporation
Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:
On September 7, 2022, Hecla Mining Company announced it had completed its acquisition of Alexco Resource Corporation.
Government of Yukon shares progress on Our Clean Future goals and releases territory-wide climate risk and resilience assessment
Today, the Government of Yukon released the second annual report on the progress made to implement Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.
Nihè dinch'è jì' wë̀tä̀zul Life Promotion / Suicide Prevention Week coming soon to Dawson City
The Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Wellness Department, Mental Wellness and Substance Use (MWSU) and the Roots of Hope Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention Initiative have collaborated to host a week of training and activities during Nihè dinch’è jì’ wë̀tä̀zul Life Promotion / Suicide Prevention Week. Events will be held in Dawson City from September 12 to 16.
Government of Yukon announces second phase of the 2022 Mental Wellness Summit
This is a joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations.
The second phase of the 2022 Mental Wellness Summit will take place from September 21 to September 23 at the Sternwheeler Hotel & Conference Centre and Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre.
The Yukon government, in partnership with the Council of Yukon First Nations is hosting this three-day event that will be a discussion on Integration and Innovation in Mental Wellness and Substance Use Support.
Statement from Premier Silver on his future
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“Today, my Caucus met to discuss the priorities we need to focus on to meet the needs of Yukoners.
“Making life more affordable, increasing housing options, improving health care and tackling climate change continue to guide our decisions as a government.
“Since forming government in 2016, we have worked to improve the lives of Yukoners and move the territory forward.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“It is with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of Great Britain on February 6, 1952, and was crowned in Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953, at the age of 27. Her Majesty dedicated a substantial part of her life to public service and helping Canadians and her legacy will forever be recognized in Canadian history.
Statement from the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Commissioner of Yukon has issued the following statement:
“On behalf of all Yukoners, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Recommended Dawson Regional Land Use Plan is now available
The Dawson Regional Planning Commission’s Recommended Plan is now available to the public. This is a significant milestone in the regional land use planning process and an important step under Chapter 11 of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Final Agreement.
Public engagement will begin on September 19, at which time the Government of Yukon and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in invite all Yukoners to complete the online survey. The engagement period will run until November 20, 2022. Your feedback is vital to shaping the future land use in the Dawson planning region.
What We Heard report details feedback on proposed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Government of Yukon has 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. The survey also sought to understand the economic impact that a new statutory day might have on the local business community and economy.
The Yukon Bureau of Statistics hosted the survey from March 8 to April 30, 2022, which drew responses from 1,294 members of the public, First Nations, businesses and other stakeholders.
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association reach tentative agreement
On September 1, 2022, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Association (YMA) reached a tentative agreement on a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The agreement will be submitted for ratification by the respective parties. No details will be released until the agreement is ratified.
Statement from Minister Clarke on hunting in Yukon First Nations traditional territories
The Government of Yukon is aware of the Ross River Dena Council and Liard First Nation’s requests related to hunting in their traditional territories.
Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services and Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health on the new bivalent COVID-19 booster
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade have issued the following statement:
“We are very pleased to announce that Yukoners aged 18 and older will soon have access to a Health Canada approved Moderna bivalent COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first bivalent COVID-19 vaccine authorized in Canada and it provides protection against both the Omicron and the original COVID-19 variants.
United Way Breakfast tickets now available
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way Breakfast fundraiser on Friday, September 16 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre from 7 to 9:30 am.
This year's theme, Why I Give, encourages Yukoners to share their stories about why they give to charitable events. All money raised from ticket sales, cash donations and the online auction will be donated to Yukon charities and community organizations. The United Way Yukon has partnered with Bridges Café for this year’s event. Attendees will enjoy pancakes with a variety of sides and beverages.
