Yukon News Releases
Members of Yukon’s Emergency Medical Services team receive Governor General Award
This morning, Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard awarded the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal to 10 members of the Yukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.
The Commissioner and award recipients were joined by Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Yukon EMS management, members of Yukon EMS’s allied partner agencies at the Fire Marshal’s Office, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Whitehorse Fire Department, as well as their friends and families.
New Yukon Hospital Corporation Board chair named
The Government of Yukon has named Al Lucier as the chair of the Yukon Hospital Corporation Board of Trustees effective June 1, 2021. Lucier will replace previous Chair Brian Gillen whose term expires on May 31, 2021. Lucier has been appointed for a three-year term. As Chair Lucier will continue to oversee the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government of Yukon donates $25,000 towards COVID-19 relief in India
Today, the Government of Yukon announced a donation to the Canadian Red Cross to support COVID-19 response efforts in India. A donation of $25,000 will be directed to the Indian Red Cross to support relief efforts and help mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donations to the Red Cross support the procurement of essential supplies and medicines, including oxygen cylinders for clinics and ambulances.
The Yukon extends State of Emergency
As of today, the Government of Yukon is extending the State of Emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA).
By extending the State of Emergency, the Government of Yukon remains able to adapt to potential rapid changes in the COVID-19 situation, including monitoring the third wave in Canada and reviewing emerging data on variant spread to inform our decisions.
The State of Emergency will be extended for up to 90 days and can be cancelled at any time.
2021 is the year of the Great Yukon Summer
Please note the release has been updated to reflect that it is a minimum of $250,000 that will be available through the On Yukon Time: Great Yukon Summer Edition funding program.
With new incentives for Yukoners to explore the world-class opportunities in their own backyard, 2021 is the year of the Great Yukon Summer.
Housing Initiatives Fund supports eight new affordable housing projects
The fourth intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund (HIF) will support eight more shovel-ready housing projects over the next two years as well as four housing project development concepts.
The selected projects will support 102 new affordable housing units for Yukoners in Dawson City, Teslin, Watson Lake, Lake Laberge and Whitehorse. These units will be below median market rent for 20 years.
May 26, 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 26, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 84. Eighty-two people have recovered, two people have died and there are no active cases in Yukon. We have tested 7,469 people.
Public health restrictions to be lifted on May 25
As the Yukon’s vaccine uptake continues to increase the Government of Yukon will begin lifting public health restrictions on Tuesday, May 25.
Fully vaccinated people will no longer need to self-isolate upon entry to the territory as of May 25.
These individuals will need to sign a declaration that they have been fully vaccinated and will also need to provide consent for the verification of their vaccination status in order to be exempt from self-isolation requirements.
Dempster Fibre Line construction set to begin
Work continues on the Dempster Fibre Line project, an 800-kilometre fibre optic line that will run along the Dempster Highway between Dawson City, Yukon, and Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
ROHL Global Networks, in partnership with Dagoo Services, has been awarded a $67 million dollar contract for the construction of the Dempster Fibre Line. From this, more than 20 per cent of the contract value will be subcontracted to First Nations businesses.
May 19, 2021: COVID-19 update
Please note the number of COVID-19 tests for the week was corrected; the proper number is 36.
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 19, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 84. Eighty-two people have recovered, two people have died and there are no active cases in Yukon. We have tested 7,398 people.
COVID-19 vaccination clinics for youth begin May 31
The Government of Yukon has scheduled clinics for Yukon youth age 12 to 17 to be vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Beginning May 31, youth will be able to receive their first doses in Yukon communities. In Whitehorse, first shots will be administered starting June 1. Second dose clinics will start as early as June 23. Everyone who is eligible is encouraged to get their shot for a safe and enjoyable summer.
Clinics in communities will be held in schools. In Whitehorse, clinics will be held at the Coast High Country Inn Convention Centre.
Yukon surpasses 75 per cent vaccination rate
Yukon’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has now reached 76 per cent for first doses of the vaccine. As of May 17, 26,242 eligible Yukon adults have received their first dose of the vaccine and 23,236 have had their second dose.
Master plan being developed in the Range Point neighbourhood
Joint news release with Kwanlin Dün First Nation.
Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) and the Government of Yukon are working together for the first time on a joint project to create a master plan for a residential development in Whitehorse’s Range Point neighbourhood.
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.
