Yukon News Releases
Ban on single-use products proposed
The Government of Yukon is proposing amendments to the Environment Act to strengthen the territory’s waste reduction efforts by allowing for the banning certain types of single-use packages and products. Minister of Environment Pauline Frost tabled Bill 14 today in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The Bill would allow for new rules around how single-use products and packages are made, supplied, distributed and used.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations governments partner to improve access to technology for K–12 Yukon First Nations students
The Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations governments are partnering to provide $950,000 to purchase 1,300 devices to improve access to technology for Yukon First Nations students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The Government of Yukon has committed $478,400 to this initiative, which is being matched by Yukon First Nations governments who will determine how devices are distributed to Citizens in their communities.
Women’s History Month celebrated with new tourism banners by female artists
A new series of banners featuring the artwork of six Yukon women were unveiled in Whitehorse today in recognition of Women’s History Month.
The selected artists are Emma Barr, Esther Bordet, Amber Church, Maegan Garrett, Violet Gatensby and Sharon Vittrekwa. Their designs explore the themes of Only in the Yukon, Natural Wonders and Transformational Experiences.
Economy remains resilient as supports for Yukoners continue
Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the 2020–21 First Supplementary Estimates in the Legislative Assembly today.
The $92.2 million supplementary budget Bill includes an increase of $95.9 million in Operations and Maintenance spending and a decrease of $3.7 million in gross capital expenditures. A total of $52.1 million is recoverable from the Government of Canada and other third parties.
Government of Yukon will fully fund the costs of continuous glucose monitors for all Yukoners
All Yukoners with type 1 diabetes will now have access to fully funded continuous glucose monitoring.
Glucose monitors can help individuals living with type 1 diabetes to monitor their glucose levels.
Yukon was the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors to youth age 18 years and younger. Now, Yukon again leads the nation in providing continuous glucose monitors for all Yukoners with type 1 diabetes.
September 30, 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, September 30, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 3,402 people.
COVID-19 Testing Centre
From Tuesday, September 22, to Monday, September 28, we tested 157 people at the COVID-19 Testing Centre (CTC) in Whitehorse.
2020 fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly to begin
The 2020 fall sitting of the 34th Yukon Legislative Assembly will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 1.
In addition to new Bills to be tabled this fall, four Bills tabled in the spring are scheduled to be debated:
Support for certified training available for Yukon coaches
The Government of Yukon is supporting the continued development of Yukon coaches by covering registration fees for online courses offered by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
Between now and the end of 2020, Yukon coaches who take NCCP multi-sport introduction or development courses online can have their registration fees reimbursed. These courses cover topics related to all sports and include such topics as coaching in secondary schools, designing a basic sport program and making ethical decisions.
New water reservoir for Faro
Construction of a new water reservoir in Faro is now complete. With a capacity of 625 cubic metres, the new reservoir replaces an old reservoir constructed in 1971 that was nearing the end of its useful life.
Water storage facilities like reservoirs are essential to keep a town like Faro supplied with clean drinking water. The reservoir buffers community water supply during peak demands, provides redundancy to other reservoirs while they are offline for maintenance, provides additional chlorine contact time for disinfection and provides water for local firefighting purposes.
Have your say on how non-cannabis vapour products should be regulated in Yukon
The Government of Yukon wants to hear from Yukoners about the minimum legal age for access to tobacco and vapour products and how vapour products should be sold, used and promoted. The feedback will inform amendments to the Smoke-Free Places Act.
Non-cannabis vaping has increased across Canada with adolescents reporting the highest levels of vapour product use. More adults are also choosing vaping as a smoking cessation tool.
Yukon Aging in Place Action Plan released
The Government of Yukon has released its Aging in Place Action Plan, which sets the collaborative direction for how governments, community groups, families and individuals can work together to support the health and wellness outcomes of seniors and Elders in the territory.
Government of Yukon announces funding for shingles vaccine
To support Yukoners’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life, the Government of Yukon is publicly funding a shingles vaccine for Yukoners between the ages of 65 and 70, the age at which the vaccine is most effective.
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash, caused by the same virus as chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in nerve tissue. Years later, the virus may reactivate as shingles.
The shingles vaccine, Shingrix, will be publicly funded in Yukon beginning January 1, 2021.
Non-resident tests positive for COVID-19 while in Yukon
An out of territory resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The person has been hospitalized in Whitehorse and they are in a stable condition.
Contact tracing is well under way and all close contacts in Yukon have been contacted by public health officials.
Based on the risk assessment by Yukon Communicable Disease Control, the public health risk associated with this case is low.
Feedback sought on draft Tagish River Habitat Protection Area management plan
The steering committee of the Tagish River Habitat Protection Area, which includes representatives from the Government of Yukon, is inviting users of the area to comment on the draft recommended management plan. This area is important to Carcross/Tagish First Nation people, local residents, recreational users and visitors of the Tagish River.
This draft recommended management plan aims to protect the Tagish River for future generations and to provide a path forward for sustainable use of this culturally and ecologically important area.
Yukon projects receive funding from the Community Development Fund
Eleven community projects across Yukon are receiving $162,040 from the Community Development Fund. The projects promote heritage, culture, sport, recreation and arts projects in six Yukon communities.
Funding recipients include the Village of Carmacks, the Golden Age Society and the Old Crow Development Corporation. The full list of recipients and project details are listed below.
The next deadline to apply for Tier 1 funding, for projects $20,000 and under, is October 15, 2020.
Yukon to remain on permanent time
Yukoners will no longer have to change their clocks twice a year. Starting on November 1, Yukon Standard Time will be permanently seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC -7). The time we are on right now will be the correct time going forward – Yukoners will not be "falling back" this November.
10-year Yukon Parks Strategy released
The Government of Yukon has released the Yukon Parks Strategy, setting long-term direction for Yukon’s territorial parks system from 2020 to 2030.
The strategy provides strategic guidance on how to sustainably deliver the environmental, economic, social and health benefits of Yukon’s network of parks and campgrounds. It will help ensure healthy land, healthy people and a healthy economy.
Major actions in the strategy include:
