Yukon News Releases
Updated: 1 hour 10 min ago
Yukon moving to digital land title registry
The Government of Yukon has awarded Information Services Corporation a 20-year contract to digitize its land title registration processes. The new registry – the Yukon Electronic Title Information (YETI) system – will cost an average of $229,000 a year to maintain and support.
Yukon school calendar dates now available
School calendar dates for all Yukon schools are now available online for the 2018–19 school year. Some non-instructional days for professional learning for teachers and school bell schedules are still being set and will be finalized in the coming weeks. Key dates for Whitehorse schools are also now available for 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22.
More than $60 million in construction projects tendered early
Dozens of large construction projects were put out to tender early for the 2018 summer season. More than $60 million worth of construction projects were tendered before March 31. The Government of Yukon plans to post more tenders worth approximately $4 million combined in the next few weeks.
The recommendations of the Procurement Advisory Panel have been implemented by the government and work is ongoing to create long-term improvements that will provide lasting benefits to the territory.
Yukon releases record-breaking tourism numbers
The Government of Yukon is releasing the latest tourism visitor statistics, which show record-breaking numbers in 2017 across several key areas.
One of the areas experiencing growth is air arrivals – numbers are up eight per cent from 2016 and 18 per cent higher than the five-year average. International border crossings are up by four per cent and international overnight visitation is up three per cent. Tourism sector revenues are estimated at 7.5 per cent above 2016 figures.
Updates to Comprehensive Municipal Grant will provide Yukon municipalities with sustainable, predictable funding
Joint news release with Association of Yukon Communities
The Comprehensive Municipal Grant (CMG) has been updated following a review by a joint Government of Yukon and Association of Yukon Communities working group, providing predictable, sustainable funding for the next five years.
Interim Electrical Rebate renewed
The Government of Yukon has renewed the Interim Electrical Rebate, pending legislative approval. The rebate is applied to electric bills and reduces the overall amount Yukoners pay each month for electricity.
Administered by the Yukon Development Corporation, the rebate reduces the amount customers pay on the first 1,000 kilowatt hours each month.
Extension of Municipal Matching Rental Construction Program
The Yukon Housing Corporation has allocated $1 million in grant funding to continue the Municipal Matching Rental Construction Program. The program matches contributions from municipal governments that allow the construction of new rental units across Yukon.
The Government of Yukon is committed to working with communities to identify and address housing needs across the territory. The program aims to support the unique housing needs of each community.
Next phase of LGBTQ2S+ non-discrimination work to begin this spring
The Government of Yukon is taking steps to design a public engagement on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit plus (LGBTQ2S+) inclusion to ensure that government practices are meeting the needs and priorities of LGBTQ2S+ Yukoners.
Challenge Disability Resource Group purchases downtown lot with support from Government of Yukon
Joint news release with Challenge Disability Resource Group
First Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services hub officially opened
The Watson Lake hub for Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services officially opened today. The new hub will provide a variety of services to Watson Lake residents, as well as specialist services to the neighbouring communities of Teslin, Carcross and Tagish.
With the opening of the new hub, community members have one-door access to a wide range of services. These include mental wellness support for individuals who have experienced trauma, individual counselling, outreach services, community support and pre and post-care related to substance use.
Order of Yukon award established to honour outstanding achievement
The Order of Yukon Act has now officially come into force with Yukon’s new Commissioner, Ms. Angélique Bernard, assenting to the bill this afternoon. The Order of Yukon will be the territory’s highest honour, allowing Yukoners to formally recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Yukon society.
American Sign Language program receives permanent funding
The Government of Yukon is providing permanent funding of $170,000 per year for the American Sign Language (ASL) program. The program was initiated as a pilot in 2012 for two years and extended for another three years.
ASL interpretation is used by Yukon’s deaf and hard of hearing community to access a range of services and programs – including medical services, legal services, employment opportunities, training and community and cultural events.
Ten new long-term care beds to open at Thomson Centre
The Government of Yukon is creating 10 new long-term care bedrooms at Thomson Centre in Whitehorse. Adding these much-needed beds will help reduce pressures at the Whitehorse General Hospital and at community hospitals across Yukon.
There are currently 75 individuals on a waiting list for placement in a continuing care facility, with nine occupying beds at the Whitehorse General Hospital. The new rooms will provide some of these patients with a home that better meets their needs, as most no longer require the high level of care provided by the hospital.
Child and Youth Advocate to undertake review of Government of Yukon group homes
The Government of Yukon is cooperating with the Yukon Child and Youth Advocate to conduct a systemic review of the Transitional Support Services (TSS) program.
The government approached the Child and Youth Advocate, who has agreed to conduct the independent and impartial systemic review of the TSS program for the three-year period dating from April 1, 2015, to April 1, 2018.
Team Yukon heads to Northwest Territories for 2018 Arctic Winter Games
Approximately 265 athletes and six cultural participants, as well as coaches, mission staff and officials, are en route to the South Slave region of Northwest Territories for the 2018 Arctic Winter Games.
Athletes will compete in a range of events, including Arctic sports, Dene games, cross country skiing and hockey. The culture contingent is composed of six dancers who will be showcasing their talents alongside the other jurisdictions during the games, culminating in a gala performance.
Upgrades to track and field facilities at F.H. Collins Secondary School to provide Whitehorse residents with improved recreational opportunities
Joint news release with the Government of Canada
Rural and northern communities have unique infrastructure needs. The governments of Canada and Yukon recognize that strategic investments in recreational infrastructure play a key role in supporting dynamic communities while creating good jobs and improving quality of life for those living and working in the North.
Remediation to get underway at Marwell Tar Pit
The Government of Yukon is preparing for the next phase of the remediation at the Marwell Tar Pit site in Whitehorse – which will begin this year.
The seasonally dependent work will include site preparation, excavation of contaminated soils, segregation of impacted soils and on-site treatment of contaminated soil.
This is the second of three phases of addressing contamination at the site. The whole project is expected to take more than a decade to complete with monitoring for years to come.
Sheldon Kennedy speaks at symposium focused on youth and sexualized violence
Sheldon Kennedy and partners from the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre were in Yukon to participate in Prevention, Awareness and Response: Conversations about Yukon youth and sexualized assault. The two-day symposium brought together more than 100 government and non-government officials to share insight on how to best support children, youth and families who are impacted by sexualized abuse.
Government of Yukon supports new Yukon Innovation Hub
The Governments of Canada and Yukon are providing over $3 million to support the YuKonstruct Makerspace Society in the creation of the Yukon Innovation Hub. The hub will support innovation and entrepreneurship through a shared space with business assistance, networking and mentorship opportunities.
New Whistle Bend lots to be available for 2018 building season
The Government of Yukon is releasing 80 lots in Whistle Bend, including townhouse, multi-family and residential lots, to builders and the public by lottery and public tender.
The land sale will take place on April 5, in time for the 2018 building season. Tender bids and lottery applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3.
This release of building lots continues the government’s efforts to increase land and housing availability to support healthy and vibrant communities.
