Yukon News Releases

Yukoners are encouraged to recognize those that are making Yukon communities safer by nominating them for a Minister of Justice Community Safety Award.

The nominating committee reviews nominations and selects recipients who are making a significant difference in the lives of Yukoners through their job duties or as volunteers. Past award nominees have included youth, volunteers, first responders, law enforcement officers and community groups or programs.

• Read more about Minister of Justice calls for nominations for Community Safety Awards

The Government of Yukon today tabled legislation to create the Order of Yukon.

The Order of Yukon will allow Yukoners to formally recognize those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the territory and the well-being of others. This includes high achievement from any discipline, such as sports, First Nations governance, environmental stewardship, the arts, heritage and cultural development, business, volunteerism and the support of seniors and youth.

• Read more about Act to create the Order of Yukon tabled

The Government of Yukon has released its first performance plan and progress report outlining the steps it has taken and plans to take to move the territory forward over the next several years.

The performance plan is outcome-focused and builds on the mandate letters presented to each Cabinet minister in early 2017. It also includes an outlook of upcoming initiatives that are poised to create tangible benefits and positive outcomes for Yukoners across the territory.    

• Read more about Government of Yukon releases performance plan and progress report

Joint news release with First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun

The Government of Yukon and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun have reached an agreement that may lead to the construction of an all-season tote road by ATAC Resources to their mineral exploration site north of Mayo. The agreement came into force upon issuance of the joint Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board decision document for the project.

• Read more about Government of Yukon and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun reach agreement on ATAC tote road

The Government of Yukon is using all 10 of its one-million-dollar exceptions under the trade agreements signed last year to bolster regional economic development.

Yukon is the first jurisdiction in the country to use this provision.

Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Yukon is one of eight jurisdictions in Canada that can use methods outside the procurement rules in that agreement for a limited number of procurements. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement provides a similar exception for regional economic development.

• Read more about Regional economic development boosted by trade agreement exceptions

Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver delivered the 2018–19 budget today in the Legislative Assembly.  The budget builds capacity and plans for a prosperous future for all Yukoners while putting the government’s finances on a more sustainable path.

• Read more about Premier Sandy Silver delivers 2018–19 budget that includes five-year capital plan

I am pleased to see the federal government continue with its commitment to northern communities. Recognizing the unique challenges we face helps unify the North, brings more benefits to Yukon and strengthens Canada as a whole.

The federal budget includes a commitment to renew Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) beginning April, 1 2019. We were happy that the federal government listened to our concerns and included an additional $1.3 million annually for transition payments to Yukon.

• Read more about A statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the 2018 federal budget

Minister of Community Services John Streicker announced today that he will ask the Employment Standards Board to conduct a review of Yukon’s minimum wage. 

The review will follow recent increases and announced increases to the minimum wage in other Canadian jurisdictions that will see Yukon’s minimum wage drop to 7th place in Canada by May 2018. 

• Read more about Government of Yukon announces minimum wage review

The Government of Yukon is pleased to introduce Yukon’s Action Plan for over $7 million in early learning and child care funding. This funding stems from the new Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, signed February 7. 

• Read more about Government of Yukon announces plan for early learning and child care funding

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has extended the period for David Loukidelis to conduct the independent inspection of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC). 

Mr. Loukidelis now has until May 15 to provide his final inspection report along with any recommendations to the Government of Yukon. The scope of the inspection outlined in the Terms of Reference remains unchanged. 

• Read more about Minister of Justice has agreed to an extension of Whitehorse Correctional Centre inspection

Minister of Community Services John Streicker, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) Dän nätthe äda Steve Smith and Haines Junction Mayor Michael Riseborough today released the following statements about discussions regarding possible changes to the municipal boundaries of Haines Junction:

• Read more about Statements about discussions between the Village of Haines Junction and Champagne and Aishihik First Nations

Joint news release with the City of Whitehorse

The Government of Yukon, City of Whitehorse and YuKonstruct Makerspace Society are partnering to participate in the Infrastructure Canada Smart Cities Challenge. The Government of Yukon is providing $30,000 in support of the application, which will be led by YuKonstruct.

• Read more about Whitehorse embarks on Smart Cities Challenge

The Government of Yukon is funding a $530,000 three-year pilot project to develop a Gladue Report Writing program for Indigenous offenders. The pilot project will provide training to Yukon-based writers to produce high-quality, standardized Gladue reports and cover the costs of report writing. It will be led by a committee of representatives from Yukon First Nations, the Legal Services Society of Yukon and the Public Prosecution Service Canada.

• Read more about Government of Yukon funds Gladue pilot project

The Governments of Canada and Yukon today announced the completion of seven infrastructure projects in Whitehorse.

• Read more about Whitehorse residents benefit from community infrastructure projects

Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Alkan Air

The Governments of Canada, Yukon and Alkan Air today announced the opening of a new flight simulator for Yukon College’s Aviation Management diploma program.

• Read more about Flight simulator investment to boost Yukon’s aviation industry

The Government of Yukon today launched Yukon.ca, a new website built to help users find the government information and services they use most.   Visitors to the site will get quick access to important and frequent tasks such as vehicle registration, applying for a child care subsidy, or obtaining a hunting licence right from the homepage.  

• Read more about Government of Yukon launches new website and visual identity

Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai today released the following statement about Goldcorp’s Coffee project and its review status with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB):

• Read more about Statement from Minister Pillai about Goldcorp's Coffee project

After discussions with the researchers, national brand representatives and other stakeholders, the Government of Yukon is inviting researchers to resume the Northern Territories Alcohol Study.   The study will use two labels to educate consumers: one that shows a standard drink size, and a second that provides low-risk drinking guidelines. The health-warning label about cancer, introduced in November of last year, will no longer be part of the study.  

• Read more about Northern Territories Alcohol Study to resume

The Government of Yukon and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun have signed a management plan for the Lansing Post Heritage Site.   The site is a historical gathering place and harvesting area – and as an early trading post it played an important role in developing Yukon’s economy. Its long history represents a significant contribution to the identity and collective memory of the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun.  

• Read more about Government of Yukon and First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun sign Lansing Heritage Site Management Plan

Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement on the 45th anniversary of Together Today for our Children Tomorrow:

• Read more about Statement from Premier Silver on the 45th anniversary of Together Today for our Children Tomorrow