Yukon News Releases
Updated: 4 hours 21 min ago
Public servants recognized for excellence and innovation
On June 14, Premier Sandy Silver presented five individuals and four teams with the Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation.
The individual recipients are Anna Pearson, Heather Jirousek, Laura Scott, Rachel Burkhart and Shannon McNevin. The team recipients are the Civic Addressing Team, Housing Forum Secretariat, Yukon Physical Literacy Program Curriculum Development Team and the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board Community Outreach and Education Team.
Better wastewater treatment for Watson Lake residents
Joint news release with the Government of Canada and the Town of Watson Lake
The governments of Canada and Yukon are committed to investing in local infrastructure that ensures Northern Canadians and their families have access to modern, reliable water and wastewater services that meet their unique needs.
Dawson City’s Minto Park concession building rises from the ashes
joint news release with the Government of Canada and the City of Dawson
Residents of Dawson City celebrated the grand opening of their new Minto Park concession building with a community event on June 8. The original facility was destroyed by fire in 2015.
The concession building will be a venue for fitness, recreational and leisure programming in a safe and healthy environment. The new facility includes a kitchen, a multi-use room and public washrooms.
Funding supports projects to preserve and share Yukon heritage
Joint news release with the Dawson City Museum
A total of $348,000 in funding has been granted to twelve Yukon museums and First Nations cultural centres through the Special Capital Projects Assistance Program.
Yukon Housing Corporation and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association host Northern Housing event
Joint news release with the BC Non-Profit Housing Association
The Northern Regional Education Networking Tradeshow (RENT) event will be held on June 12, 2018, in Whitehorse. Housing providers and stakeholders are invited to network and learn about the unique challenges for housing in the north.
Highlights of the day include a lunchtime discussion by local housing advocates on strategies that have helped generate new housing options in Yukon, as well as a tour of innovative housing projects in Whitehorse.
Ross River suspension bridge is open in time for summer
Joint news release with the Government of Canada and Ross River Dena Council
All repairs are complete and the Ross River Suspension Bridge is once again open for pedestrian travel across the Pelly River.
Contemporary meets traditional in new art collection acquisitions
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce the acquisition of five new artworks into the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
The new acquisitions are by artists Daniel Benjamin Gribben, Tamika Knutson, Dennis Shorty, Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé and Lorraine Wolfe. They cover a diverse range of art forms and styles, including carving, sculpture, beadwork and art jewellery. Blending traditional and contemporary techniques and themes, the works reflect each artist’s unique experiences.
School Council seats still open for upcoming school years
School Council seats are still open at some Yukon schools and the Government of Yukon is encouraging community members to get involved.
School Councils are responsible for providing input on school growth planning, school-based policies, hiring of the school principal and spending of the school budget. They provide advice on school staffing needs, programming, renovations, course offerings and student transportation.
Zoning Committee to be formed for Shallow Bay area
Joint news release with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council
The Government of Yukon and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council will be working with local community members on developing potential zoning regulations in the Shallow Bay area, located north of Whitehorse on the southern tip of Lake Laberge.
Community Development Fund awards more than $1.2 million to Yukon projects
Joint news release with Kwanlin Dün First Nation, Blood Ties Four Directions Centre Society and Polarettes and Polar Tumblers Gymnastics Club
The Government of Yukon is awarding more than $1.2 million to 12 organizations through the Community Development Fund. The Tier III approved projects will provide more than 8,470 hours of employment for 37 people.
Numerous volunteer hours are also associated with the projects and the funding will assist members of the community in achieving their project objectives.
Regulations for Chase the Ace-style lotteries introduced in Yukon
The Government of Yukon has introduced new regulations under the Lottery Licensing Act. These regulations now allow eligible charitable organizations in Yukon to hold Chase the Ace-style lotteries.
Government of Yukon opens a Housing Initiatives Fund
This year, the Yukon Housing Corporation is opening a $3.6 million fund for innovative housing projects that will address local housing needs.
Panel appointed to review Child and Family Services Act
The Government of Yukon today appointed six members to the Advisory Committee on the Child and Family Services Act.
The committee will be chaired by Mo Caley-Verdonk from Dawson City. Also sitting on the panel are Doris Anderson, Lori Duncan, Debbie Hoffman, Rosemary Rowlands and Ray Sydney.
Together, these individuals will undertake a broad review of the act. They will be actively engaging with First Nations, stakeholders and communities.
Government of Yukon seeking input for Agriculture Policy
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input to update the Yukon Agriculture Policy. Updating the policy will reinforce the territorial government’s commitment to increase Yukon’s ability to be more self-sufficient in food production and support a thriving and prosperous agricultural sector.
A survey is available on engageyukon.ca that provides information on the 2006 policy and context on issues that are affecting Yukon agriculture today.
Yukoner receives national award for contribution to emergency management
Public Safety Canada presented an Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award to Michael Smith for outstanding contributions to emergency management at a ceremony in Ottawa on May 24.
Smith, as the meteorologist with Yukon’s Wildland Fire Management branch, contributes professionally to emergency management in the territory. As a volunteer, he also strengthens Yukon’s readiness for emergencies through his involvement with the Special Operations Medical Extrication Team (SOMET), City of Whitehorse Fire Department and Avalanche Canada.
Government of Yukon is seeking feedback on regulating resource roads
The Government of Yukon is seeking public input for the next 60 days on the development of a regulation to manage resource roads in the territory. The regulation would enable the territorial government to effectively regulate all phases of resource roads in an environmentally responsible manner, including construction, use, maintenance, closure and decommissioning.
Check 30 aims to encourage responsible service and reduce underage drinking
The Yukon Liquor Corporation (YLC) is launching the Check 30 campaign, aimed to encourage responsible sales and service through an increase in identification checks. The program also aims to help prevent minors from attempting to purchase liquor.
First Nations participate in housing design workshop
Joint news release with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
The Yukon Housing Corporation and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation hosted a workshop to gather ideas about how to design multi-unit residential buildings in First Nations communities across Yukon. The workshop was held from May 15-17 at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse.
Historic signing of management plan
Joint news release with First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk and Selkirk First Nation
Today, the Chiefs of Selkirk First Nation and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, and Minister Pauline Frost, officially signed off on the management plan for the Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area.
The First Nation and territorial governments are pleased to announce the formal establishment and legal protection of the Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area for present and future generations.
Government of Yukon advances modern Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
For 60 days Yukoners can share their thoughts on proposed modernization of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP Act).
