Yukon News Releases
Leadership changes in the Yukon government public service
Premier Sandy Silver has announced senior leadership changes for the Public Service Commission, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Highways and Public Works.
Sherri Young will move from her position as Assistant Deputy Minister for transportation with Highways and Public Works to be the new Public Service Commissioner. Current Public Service Commissioner Paul Moore is retiring. Young will start on July 25.
New hours of service at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
As the Yukon transitions to handling COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses, the Government of Yukon is cautiously shifting from the acute stage of the pandemic response to part of our ongoing work to support the public health of Yukoners. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust based on the current risk environment.
Starting July 24, 2022, the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC) hours of operation will be:
Government shares progress update on Safer Schools Action Plan
The Government of Yukon is sharing a progress update on work completed since February 2022 as part of the Safer Schools Action Plan. This action plan was initiated in response to the Hidden Valley Elementary School Independent Review Report and will enhance safety of students across Yukon schools. The action plan was renamed at the request of the Hidden Valley school administration. The new name reflects that the policies and changes in this plan will improve safety in all Yukon schools.
Signing Ceremony Held for Tséi Zhéłe / Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad Historic Site Management Plan
On July 20, 2022, the Government of Yukon and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation signed a management plan for the Tséi Zhéłe / Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad Historic Site.
Developed with the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, and through extensive public engagement, the Tséi Zhéłe/ Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad Historic Site Management Plan will protect and conserve this heritage area through a phased implementation plan over the next 10 years. The plan will help Yukoners and visitors better enjoy the natural, historical and cultural value the historic site holds.
New wildland fire map sheds more light on Yukon’s fire situation
The recent period of unprecedented extreme wildfire activity underscored the need for public fire information that is readily accessible to Yukoners in real-time. To ensure that the best information is available to the Yukon public, the Government of Yukon is launching an expanded fire information map that helps people better understand the Yukon’s fire situation while also learning more about fire activity in a given area.
Canadian culture and heritage minister meetings wrap up
Minister of Tourism and Culture Ranj Pillai joined federal, provincial and territorial Canadian culture and heritage Ministers for their annual meeting held this year in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Ministers responsible for culture and heritage across Canada gathered July 11 to 13 for discussions on three strategic priorities: strengthening the creative economy, strengthening the resources of the culture and heritage sectors and strengthening engagement and promotion in the culture and heritage sectors.
Funding available to support First Nations’ attendance at the Papal visit to Canada
The Government of Yukon is offering $180,000 in funding to support eligible Yukon First Nations and transboundary Indigenous governments and groups who wish to send a delegation to attend the Papal visit to Canada later this month.
Pope Francis will travel to Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut from July 24 to 29, 2022. It is expected that during his visit, the Pope will expand on an apology delivered from the Vatican last spring for the role of the Roman Catholic Church in residential schools.
Yukon retains ‘AA Stable’ credit rating from S&P Global Ratings for 2022
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) has affirmed the Yukon’s strong financial position with an AA Stable credit rating and a stable outlook.
Yukon Senior Income Supplement (YSIS) payments delayed
Yukon Senior Income Supplement (YSIS) payments are delayed due to technical issues. The Government of Yukon is working to address these issues as soon as possible.
The Government of Yukon apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused. A new internal payment delivery system is currently being developed to avoid delays in the future.
Yukoners that have been impacted by the delay and have questions can call 867-667-8772.
COVID-19 vaccines approved for children over the age of six months
Following the recommendation of the Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Government of Yukon is expanding the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to children between the ages of six months and five years. This follows Health Canada’s approval of the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 for children in that age group and is supported by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).
Leadership update in the Department of Justice
Premier Sandy Silver has appointed Jeff Ford as acting Deputy Minister for the Department of Justice.
The previous Deputy Minister, John Phelps, has left the Yukon government public service following his appointment as a Judge of the Territorial Court of Yukon.
New collaborative heritage awareness campaign underway
This a joint news release with the Government of Yukon and Council of Yukon First Nations
The Government of Yukon, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Heritage Working Group and Yukon First Nations are working together to promote the collaborative management of the Yukon’s heritage resources through a new awareness campaign.
The campaign, called Yukon’s Living Heritage, aims to educate the public about heritage resources, their value and what to do with chance finds.
Update on COVID-19 in the Yukon
As the Yukon transitions to handling COVID-19 like other respiratory illnesses, the Government of Yukon is working closely with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health to take cautious steps in shifting from the acute stage of the pandemic response to part of our ongoing work to support the public health of Yukoners.
Starting today, the COVID-19 data dashboard will be updated less frequently. Moving forward most data will be updated weekly and vaccine related data will be updated monthly.
New Judge appointed to the Yukon’s Territorial Court
Today, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Yukon Tracy-Anne McPhee announced the appointment of Mr. John Phelps as a Judge of the Territorial Court of Yukon. Judge Phelps replaces Judge Peter Chisholm, who is retiring from the Court.
Council of the Federation summer meeting concludes
Premier of the Yukon Sandy Silver attended the Council of the Federation summer meeting in Victoria, British Columbia this week where he discussed a number Yukon and Canadian priorities with his fellow Premiers.
Agenda topics included health care; affordability; supply chains; labour supply; climate change; energy security; mental health and addictions.
Yukon-wide travel advisory issued to ensure responder and public safety
The Yukon is currently experiencing many emergencies. Wildfires and flooding have triggered evacuation alerts in several Yukon communities and campgrounds, and have led to numerous road closures and washouts. The territory has been further challenged by widespread telecommunications interruptions and poor air quality.
Yukoners and visitors to the territory are being asked to seriously consider their travel plans. This is for their own safety, and for the safety of emergency responders, residents in impacted areas, and the movement of essential supplies and equipment.
Second COVID-19 booster eligibility extended to Yukoners 18 years of age and older
The Government of Yukon is expanding the eligibility for second boosters to Yukoners who are 18 years of age and older based on the latest recommendation from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
To be eligible for a second booster dose, six months must have passed since your first booster. For people who have recently had COVID-19, a second booster is not recommended until at least three months have passed since COVID-19 symptoms started or testing positive for the virus.
Guru Nanak Sikh Organization of Yukon completes restoration of Gurdwara with support from the Government of Yukon
The Guru Nanak Sikh Organization of Yukon has completed renovations on the Yukon’s first permanent Gurdwara. The Government of Yukon’s Community Development Fund supported the organization with $165,000 to complete remedial and restoration work to the area surrounding the old Salvation Army Adults Halfway House building.
Premier Silver to attend Council of the Federation meeting
Premier Sandy Silver will attend the Council of the Federation meeting from July 11 to 12 in Victoria, British Columbia. Premier Silver will be meeting in-person with all 13 Canadian Premiers for the first time since the pandemic began. The meeting is an opportunity to highlight the priorities of Yukoners and advance discussion on common challenges facing Canadians.
The Yukon’s first midwifery clinic opens tomorrow
The Yukon’s first midwifery program will start seeing clients July 7, 2022. The launch of the clinic marks the first time comprehensive, regulated midwifery services will be available to Yukoners.
The Yukon Midwifery Program welcomes two midwives who will begin offering high quality and consistent care, and expects to welcome an additional two midwives in the fall. As new midwives join the team and as the program becomes more established in the Yukon’s health care system, the scope of services will expand, from prenatal to postpartum, and the client caseload will increase.
