Yukon News Releases
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Fourth Housing Initiatives Fund to support affordable housing opens
The fourth intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund launched on November 16, 2020 to support the construction of affordable housing for Yukoners across the territory.
This call for projects includes three streams: one for shovel ready projects in Whitehorse, one for shovel ready projects in communities and one for project concepts. First Nations governments, First Nations Development Corporations, developers, contractors, community organizations and the general public can apply for funding to support projects that will increase affordable housing options in their community.
COVID-19 public health notifications issued for Whitehorse
Yukon Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott today confirmed a new case of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 24 cases since the first infection was announced on March 22, 2020.
The case investigation is underway and the Yukon Communicable Disease Centre has reached most of the contacts.
People who have been at the following locations and who have symptoms are asked to get tested.
Centre scolaire secondaire communautaire Paul-Émile Mercier opens doors to students
Joint news release with the Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon.
The doors of Centre scolaire secondaire communautaire Paul-Émile Mercier (CSSC Mercier) will open to students on November 13, 2020.
Construction of CSSC Mercier, the new French First Language Secondary School Community Centre in Whitehorse, started in spring 2019 and was completed in September 2020. The new school features modernized, flexible learning spaces for French First Language secondary students, including a gymnasium and other spaces for learning and community use.
Statement from Minister of Environment Pauline Frost on a potential permit for exploration work in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
Following the conclusion of the Environmental Impact Assessment process for lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, an exploration project is now being proposed in the area. As a part of the permitting process there was a two-week window for public comment that closed on November 6, 2020. The Government of Yukon has provided comments, identifying that the mitigations proposed, with respect to Porcupine caribou, are inadequate.
Funding doubled for annual call for submissions to Yukon Permanent Art Collection
Please note that the additional arts funding amount, to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on the territory’s arts sector, has been updated.
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce an enhanced 2020–2021 call for submissions to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s budget for acquisitions has increased to $60,000 from $30,000. The increase will help support artists who live and create work in Yukon in this time of lost revenue and uncertainty.
2020–21 School Year Education program update
Grades 10 to 12 students in Whitehorse will remain on their current schedule for the second semester to ensure the three larger Whitehorse high schools continue to meet the health and safety guidelines developed by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
November 10, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that this news release has been updated to provide more clarity about travellers’ isolation period and sharing space within a household.
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 recoveries
As of today, November 10, at 9 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 23. Twenty-one people have recovered and there is currently one active case.
COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
Leave for domestic and sexualized violence coming to Yukon
Bill No. 10, which amends the Employment Standards Act to provide access to paid and unpaid leave for victims of domestic or sexualized violence received assent in the Yukon Legislative Assembly today.
Conversion therapy banned in Yukon
Bill No. 9, the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Protection Act received assent today and is now in force. The Act bans conversion therapy in Yukon, supporting the government’s commitment to inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit plus Yukoners (LGBTQ2S+).
Can Do Farm’s Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne are Yukon’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020
The Government of Yukon and the agricultural community have chosen Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne of Can Do Farm as Yukon’s Farm Family of the Year for 2020.
From a start in hay production, Mario Ley and Dionne Laybourne have grown their operation over the years into raising and selling cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys on their Can Do Farm properties in the Ibex valley outside Whitehorse.
New support for Yukon’s aviation industry
Yukon’s aviation sector will receive more than $7 million dollars in support to continue providing essential services to and from the territory and its remote communities. The second phase of aviation support includes funding from the federal government to address the unique needs of remote communities in the North.
Burbot catch limit decreases in some Yukon lakes
To ensure the sustainability of the burbot harvest, a regulation change will come into effect on December 1, 2020, to reduce the catch limit in smaller Yukon lakes to three per day and six in possession.
November 4, 2020: 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 recoveries
As of today, November 4, at 11 a.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 23. Twenty people have recovered and there are currently two active cases. Contact tracing remains underway.
COVID-19 Testing and Assessment Centre
Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit supports rental housing affordability
Joint news release with the Government of Canada.
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why the Government of Canada partnered with the Government of Yukon to provide additional support to hundreds of low-income households across the territory between now and 2027.
Government increasing supports for Yukon seniors and Elders
The Government of Yukon is enhancing programs and services for Yukon seniors and Elders, with the goal of supporting them to age in place in their own homes and communities.
The Community Day Program, offered at Whistle Bend Place, will be expanded beginning April 1, 2021. Two additional staff will be hired, increasing the daily capacity to 16 clients if it is safe to do so within current safety guidelines. Funding will also be provided to support transportation for individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend the program.
Premier Sandy Silver extends condolences to Watson Lake community
Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement:
I am very saddened by this loss and I send my condolences to the friends and family of the deceased. On behalf of all Yukoners, I also send support and love to the entire community of Watson Lake at this difficult time.
I am grateful for all that Yukoners have and continue to do to keep the spread of COVID-19 to a minimum. Thank you for your efforts and please, continue to be vigilant in taking the recommended precautions to keep yourself, your community and all Yukoners safe.
First COVID-19-related death in Yukon
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has confirmed the death of one of the five people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 in Watson Lake.
The person passed away at home on October 29 while they were in self-isolation. A Coroner’s investigation has concluded that their death was caused by COVID-19 infection.
The person who has died was older and had underlying medical conditions.
The level of COVID-19 risk to residents of Watson Lake and other Yukoners has not changed as a result of this death.
Government of Yukon announces further funding for territory’s high performance athletes
The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Lottery Commission, today announced 20 Yukon athletes and one official will receive $33,000 for the second intake of this year’s High Performance Athlete Assistance Program.
In June 2020, $69,500 was awarded to 26 athletes and three officials for the program’s first intake for 2020. There were two intakes this year due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Yukon’s COVID-19 case count rises to 23
One new case of COVID-19 was confirmed today by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley. This is the territory’s 23rd case of COVID-19 infection and is not linked to the Watson Lake cluster.
Laboratory results confirmed the positive diagnosis on the night of Wednesday, October 28. Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) staff has completed contact tracing and there is no risk of public exposure.
2019–20 Public Accounts released
Today, Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver tabled the 2019–20 Public Accounts in the Legislative Assembly.
The 2019–20 Public Accounts have been audited by the Auditor General of Canada and have received an unqualified audit opinion, which indicates that the government’s financial statements are fairly and appropriately presented without any identified exceptions.
