Yukon News Releases
July 23, 2021: COVID-19 public exposure notification
Yukon Medical Health Officer Dr. Jesse Kancir has issued a public exposure notice for the 9:30 a.m. Air North flight from Vancouver to Whitehorse on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were on the following flight:
July 23, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon Medical Health Officer Dr. Jesse Kancir is reporting nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Thursday, July 22 and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 77.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 551; 483 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 22, there are nine confirmed cases:
Canada and Yukon announce major expansion of $10 a day child care
This is a joint release with the Government of Canada.
Every child deserves the best possible start in life, and all parents should have the ability to build both a family and career. Yet, too many families across Canada lack access to affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care. The global COVID-19 pandemic has also made it clear that without access to child care, too many parents – especially women – cannot fully participate in the workforce.
Yukon municipalities improve recreational facilities with Canada Community-Building Fund
Five municipalities are investing nearly $3.5 million of their portions of the Canada Community-Building Fund to upgrade existing recreational facilities in the Yukon.
Update on August 1 increase to minimum wage
The Government of Yukon is providing an update today to its commitment to increase the minimum wage to $15.20 an hour on August 1, 2021, and to subsequent annual increases tied to inflation. The government spoke to the commitment to increase the minimum wage in the Speech from the Throne on May 11, 2021.
July 22, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 72.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 542; 474 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 21, there are seven confirmed cases:
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the passing of former Yukon Commissioner Jack Cable
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“Today, my colleagues and I were very sad to learn of the passing of former Commissioner of the Yukon Jack Cable.
“Before becoming the Yukon’s 34th Commissioner, Jack represented the former Riverside riding for eight years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly and also served as the President of the Yukon Energy Corporation. He was a mentor to me and several other MLAs and was known for his depth of knowledge, compassionate approach and strong leadership.
Past Commissioner Jack Cable remembered
The Office of the Commissioner of Yukon is saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Cable, former Commissioner of Yukon.
Ivan John (Jack) Cable Q.C., was born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 17, 1934. Cable earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at McMaster University and after working as a chemical engineer for 9 years, he obtained a Law Degree from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario bar in 1970.
Government of Canada invests in more Whitehorse rental housing
This is a joint release with the Government of Canada.
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Thanks to support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse, Whitehorse residents will now have access to more rental housing options.
July 21, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 66.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 534; 465 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 20, there are seven confirmed cases:
Additional COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted as vaccine rate increases
As Yukon’s active case count continues to decline and vaccination rates increase in the territory and across Canada, Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has provided new recommendations regarding public health measures in place to protect Yukoners from COVID-19.
Location of supervised consumption site confirmed
Plans for Yukon’s first supervised consumption site are underway. The facility will be located at 6189 6th Avenue in Whitehorse, a central, accessible location that will meet the needs of clients. The existing government-owned building is being renovated to accommodate the requirements of a supervised consumption site.
In the coming weeks, the Yukon government will be engaging with residents, local businesses, First Nations governments and non-governmental organizations about the importance of the new facility.
July 20, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Monday, July 19, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 65.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 527; 458 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 19, there are five confirmed cases:
July 19, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Friday, July 16, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 76.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 522; 453 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 16, there are 20 confirmed cases:
Yukon families to be refunded for all July licensed child care expenses
The Yukon Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) funding program has been temporarily adjusted to support all families for the month of July, including those who voluntarily kept their children home from child care for two weeks to help reduce transmission of COVID-19.
Through the Department of Education, the Yukon ELCC contributes $700 per month, per child, as a direct subsidy to families with children attending licensed child care programs full-time. Funding will also be provided to the Watson Lake Daycare which currently subscribes to the Rural Sustainability program.
Call for nominations for the Minister of Justice Community Safety Awards
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee is encouraging Yukoners to recognize those who are making Yukon communities safer by nominating them for a Minister of Justice Community Safety Award.
The nomination period for the 2021 Community Safety Awards is now open and nominations will be accepted until August 19, 2021. Successful recipients will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in November 2021.
Yukon air tanker group takes off for British Columbia to fight wildfires
An air tanker group from the Government of Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management Branch is heading to British Columbia to help the province battle wildfires.
B.C. is experiencing record-breaking temperatures and has issued an urgent call for firefighting assistance from the rest of Canada. B.C. is currently at extreme risk of wildfires and nearly 300 fires are burning in the province right now.
July 16, 2021: COVID-19 case count update
Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott is reporting five new confirmed cases of COVID-19 between 12 p.m. Thursday, July 15, and 12 p.m. today. With recoveries, this brings the active case count to 77.
Total number of confirmed Yukon cases since March 22, 2020: 502; 432 cases since June 1, including out of territory residents diagnosed in Yukon and probable cases.
For the new cases since 12 p.m. on July 15, there are five confirmed cases:
Seven community projects awarded Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust funding
Seven community-led projects focused on crime prevention and services for victims are receiving $248,611 in funding from the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust (CPVST).
Construction started on Health and Wellness Centre and housing unit in Old Crow
Construction work is set to begin on the Health and Wellness Centre and 10-plex housing complex in Old Crow.
The first phase of construction is site preparation, which includes clearing and grubbing the site, and putting in a gravel pad. Later this year, thermopiles for the foundation will be shipped by air to be drilled and installed over the winter. Work on the building structure itself will start next spring.
