Yukon News Releases
Surplus budget advances commitments under Our Clean Future and Putting People First
Today, Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the Government of Yukon’s 2022–23 Budget.
COVID-19 public health measures continue to ease
The Yukon government has announced plans to lift all remaining COVID-19 public health measures in the territory.
As previously announced, starting on March 4, 2022, there will be no longer limits on the size of gatherings, events or capacity at venues. Bars and restaurants will also be able to return to normal operations.
As of March 4, the following public health measures will remain in place:
Total deaths due to COVID-19 rises to 22
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting the death of a Yukon resident from COVID-19. This brings the total to 22 since the first death was reported in October 2020.
Out of respect for the individuals and their families, we will not be releasing any additional information.
Engagement for a new Public Lands Act has begun
The Government of Yukon is modernizing the way public land is managed in the territory by creating a new Yukon Public Lands Act. The act will support many different types of land use for residential development, conservation, business ventures and recreational activities in the Yukon.
The new act will replace two existing pieces of legislation, the Lands Act and the Territorial Lands (Yukon) Act. It will recognize First Nations Final Agreements in the spirit of co-operation and day-to-day management of land in the Yukon.
2022 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2022 spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 3.
The 2022–23 Budget will be tabled during the sitting along with several pieces of legislation.
Legislative Assembly procedures will be adjusted to align with the territory’s most current COVID-19 health measures and could be subject to change over the course of the spring sitting.
Government of Yukon donates $50,000 to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
Today, the Government of Yukon announced a donation of $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and neighbouring countries in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Donations will support the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s work to provide relief through health facilities and supporting families in the region. Support is needed for the humanitarian and refugee response, including coordination for moving people to areas where they can receive food, clothing, shelter, psycho-social support and other assistance.
The total deaths due to COVID-19 rises to 21
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting the death of one Yukon resident from COVID-19. This brings the total to 21 deaths due to COVID-19 since the first death was reported in October 2020.
Out of respect for the individuals and their families, we will not be releasing any additional information.
Yukon Liquor Corporation stops selling Russian-produced products
In response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the Yukon Liquor Corporation will no longer buy or sell products made in Russia for the foreseeable future.
Effective immediately, Russian Standard will be removed from the Yukon Liquor Corporation’s six liquor stores and warehouse.
New hours of service at the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
Starting today, the COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre (CTAC) in Whitehorse will be open between Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed between 12 and 12:30 p.m. during the week. The centre will also be open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The centre will continue to offer lab-based PCR testing to people at a high-risk of developing serious illness, such as:
Canadian Paediatric Society emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccines for children and youth
The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) confirmed earlier this month the safety and effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and recommends them for children and adolescents five years of age and older.
The acting Chief Medical Officer of Health continues to recommend that children and youth keep their vaccines up-to-date to protect against the impacts of COVID-19 during the current wave and in the coming months as people consider increasing contacts and travel.
Hidden Valley Elementary School Independent Review Report action plan released
At the request of the Yukon’s Ombudsman, the implementation action plan has been updated to reflect that the Ombudsman’s report is expected to be complete in mid-2022.
The Government of Yukon is implementing the recommendations from the Hidden Valley Elementary School Independent Review Report.
Yukon Wildland Fire Management and Yukon First Nations Wildfire enter into new, three-year agreement
This is a joint release with the Government of Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management Branch and Yukon First Nations Wildfire.
The Government of Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management Branch and Yukon First Nations Wildfire have entered a new, three-year Unit Crew Services Agreement.
More public health measures to be eased in the Yukon
The Government of Yukon is continuing to ease public health measures.
Effective March 4, 2022, only the following public health measures will remain in place in the territory:
Watson Lake residents will soon have improved street lighting and pedestrian crossings
The Government of Yukon will be installing new street lighting between kilometre one and four on the Robert Campbell Highway and will be improving road infrastructure in and around Watson Lake.
In the coming months, new signage and pavement markings will be installed at three crosswalk locations in the community that will provide advance warning to motorists of the upcoming crosswalk. The potential for other crosswalks in high-traffic areas will be considered.
Request for proposals to study mineral exploration funding models
The Government of Yukon has issued a request for proposals to study potential models for a Mineral Exploration Fund to support junior mining companies. Interested parties can bid on this project on the Yukon Government’s bids and tenders website.
Lorne Metropolit wins the Yukon’s 2022 Agriculture Award
The Government of Yukon is recognizing Lorne Metropolit, owner and operator of Yukon Gardens, as the 2022 winner of the Yukon Agriculture Award. Lorne is being celebrated for his decades of work developing agriculture and building food security in the Yukon.
COVID-19 outbreak ends at Thomson Centre long-term care home
The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has declared the COVID-19 outbreak at the Thomson Centre long-term care home officially over.
The care home was closed on February 8, 2022, following the confirmation of several linked COVID-19 cases. Additional measures were put in place and no additional cases were identified. Staff worked diligently over the weekend to ensure all cleaning protocols were completed and the Thomson Centre could reopen for visitors today.
Government of Yukon celebrates recipients of 2021 sport awards
The Yukon government has announced the recipients of the 2021 Government of Yukon sport awards. These awards honour the accomplishments of athletes in our territory who have made exceptional achievements at the national and international level.
For 2021, the Government of Yukon is awarding the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence to nine individuals across seven sports.
Due to COVID-19, recipients will be individually presented with their awards and are being recognized with a video message from the Minister of Community Services.
Upgrades to the elevator at Whitehorse’s Financial Plaza to begin
TK Elevator will be upgrading the elevator at the 204 Lambert Street Financial Plaza in Whitehorse, beginning Monday February 21, 2022. The elevator will be out of service for approximately five weeks while the upgrades are completed. Clients of Insured Health Services will still be able to access the fourth floor by the stairs while the elevator is being upgraded.
New COVID-19 dashboard provides Yukoners with more data
The Government of Yukon now has a new COVID-19 dashboard to provide Yukoners with important data related to the pandemic.
The new format displays data on vaccination rates, case counts, testing and hospitalizations, with the addition of interactive graphs, maps and detailed summaries of data over time. This dashboard is user-friendly and will help Yukoners stay informed on the current COVID-19 situation in the territory.
