Yukon News Releases
Mis à jour : il y a 10 heures 25 min
Be bear aware when out on the land
Conservation officers are reminding the public bears are awake and active. Whether people are outside hiking, biking, running, canoeing, camping, gardening or staying at a cabin, now is a good time to brush up on bear awareness skills. Yukoners should know how to spot bear presence and what to do if they encounter a bear and always carry bear spray.
Residential rent increases in Yukon to be indexed to inflation
Effective May 15, the Government of Yukon is temporarily indexing residential rent increases in the territory to inflation. Indexing Yukon’s residential rent to inflation is a key policy initiative agreed to under the Confidence and Supply Agreement, which runs until January 31, 2023.
Sixteen groups receive funding to support marginalized youth
Please note the table in the Backgrounder has been corrected.
Yukon youth will benefit from more than $68,000 awarded to 16 community groups through the Youth Investment Fund. The groups received funding for a variety of arts, recreation and educational programming, including horse-back riding, cycling and a teen mentoring program.
The Youth Investment Fund provides financial support to short-term projects aimed at youth under 19 years old with fewer opportunities.
Premier Silver tables revised 2021–22 Budget in the Legislative Assembly
Today, Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the Government of Yukon’s revised 2021–22 Budget, which focuses on improving the lives of Yukoners and includes significant investments in education, housing, community infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
The revised budget for 2021–22 is $1.79 billion. Operating and maintenance expenses will be $1.36 billion. Capital spending is $434 million.
Child Care Act amendment tabled in the Legislative Assembly
Education Minister Jeanie McLean tabled Bill No. 2 yesterday, proposing amendments to the Child Care Act to better reflect the realities of Yukon families.
These amendments include relocating the Child Care Unit from the Department of Health and Social Services to the Department of Education to help ensure that early learning and childcare services are coordinated at all levels. The integration of early childhood development programs and education would help create a learning continuum that begins at birth and has a positive, long-term impact on our society.
May 12, 2021: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveriesAs of Wednesday, May 12, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 84. Eighty people have recovered, two people have died and there is one active case in Yukon and one active case of a Yukoner out of the territory. We have tested 7,305 people.
Vaccine statistics released for all Yukon communities
With 74 per cent of all eligible Yukoners having had their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the third round of mobile immunization clinics in all rural communities completed, the Government of Yukon has released current vaccination rates for all Yukon communities. Uptake is expected to continue to increase and updated rates will be released monthly.
COVID-19 vaccinations to be available for Yukon youth
The Government of Yukon is working to protect Yukon youth from COVID-19. A supply of the Pfizer vaccine has been arranged for the territory and will allow Yukoners aged 12 to 17 to be vaccinated in the coming weeks.
Vaccination clinics for youth are expected to begin soon. Youth vaccine clinics will be held in most communities and medical travel will be supported for those places where a youth clinic is not held.
May 11, 2021: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 84 cases. There is currently one active case in Yukon.
35th Yukon Legislative Assembly begins
The first Session of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly began today with a Speech from the Throne delivered by the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard.
The Speech from the Throne reflected on the work of the government to date and outlined the broad agenda for the coming mandate. It identified key priorities that will be the focus of a collaborative approach going forward. These priorities include:
Wildfire risk reduction projects taking place this week in Whitehorse
Wildland Fire Management crews continue organized risk reduction work in Whitehorse this week. Prescribed burning will take place:
- north of the Takhini neighbourhood on Tuesday, May 11; and
- east of Range Road near the old landfill on Wednesday, May 12.
Residents near prescribed fire operations will be notified by Wildland Fire Management staff. Short periods of low-intensity smoke may be visible from the treatment areas.
Nominations are open for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award
The nomination period is now open for the 2021 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Premier Sandy Silver encourages nominations to recognize Yukoners who demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in adult literacy.
This award is presented annually, in each province and territory, to celebrate the work of educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations and businesses in literacy.
Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Brendan Hanley host a live question and answer event for Yukoners
On Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m., Yukoners are invited to tune in and ask questions to Canada’s Chief Public Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley during a live question and answer event moderated by Gurdeep Pandher. Register to watch the live event here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L8WcR6kzRDe8SCnPrn_MzA
Leadership changes in Government of Yukon departments
Premier Sandy Silver has made changes to leadership positions in the Public Service Commission, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Department of Environment, Yukon Housing Corporation and the Yukon Liquor Corporation and Lotteries Yukon.
Paul Moore will move from his role as Deputy Minister with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources to the role of Public Service Commissioner. Moore is replacing Pamela Muir who is retiring from the government.
Yukon lifting restrictions as vaccine uptake increases
Nearly 75 per cent of eligible Yukoners have now received their first vaccine shot and 65 per cent have received both doses. The strong uptake will allow Yukon to lift COVID-19 restrictions starting later this month.
Today Premier Sandy Silver announced plans to ease travel restrictions in the coming weeks. Beginning Tuesday, May 25, people arriving in Yukon from anywhere in Canada will not have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated, provided their vaccination status can be confirmed.
May 5, 2021: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 cases and recoveriesAs of Wednesday, May 5, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 82. Seventy-nine people have recovered, two people have died and there is one active case. We have tested 7,228 people.
Vaccination rollout progressAs of the end of the day Monday, May 3, there were 48,655 doses of the Moderna vaccine administered in Yukon. This number includes 25,998 first doses and 22,657 second doses.
Premier Silver announces date of first Legislative Assembly sitting
Premier Sandy Silver announced today he has asked the Commissioner of Yukon to convene the first sitting of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, May 11, at 1 p.m.
The session will begin with a Speech from the Throne.
For more information on the Yukon Legislative Assembly visit: https://yukonassembly.ca/.
Jeremy Harper to be nominated for Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly
Premier Sandy Silver intends to nominate Jeremy Harper for the office of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
Jeremy Harper was elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election on April 12, 2021, in the electoral district of Mayo-Tatchun.
New Yukon Cabinet sworn in by Commissioner
Premier Sandy Silver and the new Government of Yukon Cabinet were sworn in today by the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard.
In addition to his role as leader of the territory, Sandy Silver will be the Minister responsible for the Executive Council and the Department of Finance.
The additional Members of Cabinet and their portfolios are:
Government of Yukon issues special warrant to meet financial commitments during budget debate
The Government of Yukon has issued a special warrant to ensure government programs and functions are able to continue while the 2021–22 Budget is debated during the spring legislative sitting.
The special warrant provides budgetary authorization for up to $161 million in government spending for the month of June. Of this amount, $116 million relates to operations and maintenance spending and $45 million is included in capital funding.
