Yukon News Releases
Updated: 9 hours 47 min ago
June 8, 2021: public exposure notification
Public exposure notices are being issued for several Whitehorse locations linked to cases of COVID-19 announced earlier today.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were at one of the following locations:
June 8, 2021: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley announces one new confirmed and two new probable cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 88 confirmed and two probable cases. There are currently six active cases in Yukon. Two of the people with COVID-19 are currently in the hospital.
For the new cases today:
Statement from the Government of Yukon on Alaska’s pre-season restrictions for Chinook fisheries
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke has released the following statement in response to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s May 28 announcement that they will restrict both public and subsistence Chinook salmon fishing:
“We are pleased to see our partners in Alaska take necessary steps to restrict harvest and allow this iconic salmon species to return to their Canadian spawning grounds.
Committees established to oversee implementation of Putting People First and Our Clean Future plans
Two new committees have been established to oversee the implementation of the Putting People First and Our Clean Future plans.
The Putting People First and Our Clean Future plans outline significant initiatives for the Yukon government over the coming decade and were endorsed by all three territorial political parties during the 2021 election.
Statement on the release of the report on Mental Health Services in Rural Yukon by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:
“The release today of the Report on Mental Health Services in Rural Yukon by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) is welcome news for our government, and for the territory.
Four new COVID-19 cases confirmed; outbreak identified at mine site
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms four new cases of COVID-19, including three new confirmed cases at the Victoria Gold Mine Site. This is the first report of cases at a mine site.
Government of Yukon and Yukon First Nations leaders reconfirm their commitment to collaboration at the Yukon Forum
Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations and Yukon First Nations governments
Today, Premier Sandy Silver and his Cabinet, Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Peter Johnston and the Yukon First Nations Chiefs met for the first Yukon Forum of 2021. The leaders discussed their joint priorities for the coming years and reconfirmed their commitment to advancing these priorities through the Yukon Forum and its working groups, guided by the 2017 Working Together Declaration.
Partners to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement release a joint statement in response to the suspension of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Today, Representatives of the parties to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement, including the governments of Canada, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Vuntut Gwitchin, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Game Council came together to respond to the June 1 decision by the US Department of Interior to suspend oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (the Refuge) pending completion of new, comprehensive analysis of environmental impacts.
Yukon Advisory Committee recognizes release of the National Action Plan to End Violence against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People
Joint news release with the Yukon Advisory Committee on MMIWG2S+
The Yukon Advisory Committee (YAC) is marking the release of the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan on the two-year anniversary of the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (MMIWG2S+): Reclaiming Power and Place.
Improving school zone safety in Whitehorse
Please note the first quote is from Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna.
This is a joint news release with the Government of Canada and the City of Whitehorse.
FireSmart funding program helps 36 groups build wildfire-resilient communities
Municipal and First Nations governments, volunteer fire departments, community associations and non-profits across the Yukon are joining forces with the Government of Yukon’s FireSmart funding program to improve community wildfire resiliency.
Over the coming year, 36 groups will receive a total of $1.1 million in FireSmart funding to remove forest fuels from areas near their communities. The Government of Yukon is investing $850,000 through the FireSmart funding program, and the Government of Canada’s Emergency Management Assistance Program is contributing a further $250,000.
June 2, 2021: 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 recoveriesAs of Wednesday, June 1, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 84. Eighty-two people have recovered, two people have died and there are no active cases in Yukon. We have tested 7,567 people.
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold with the Commissioner
This summer, join the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard in commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Discovery of Gold in Yukon. The Commissioner’s office has organized the following activities:
Exhibit at the Taylor HouseOn June 1, an exhibit of photos and articles from the Discovery of Gold in Yukon will be on display on the second floor of the Taylor House, 412 Main Street in Whitehorse. The exhibit is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are mandatory while inside the Taylor House.
Final report on inclusive and special education released in ceremony
The final report of the review of Inclusive and special education in the Yukon was released in ceremony today at the Haa Shagóon Hídi (Learning Centre) in Carcross.
Ministers, Chiefs, Elders and members of First Nations Education Commission and the Advisory Committee for Yukon Education gathered in-person with school communities joining remotely via livestream to honour and acknowledge the stories shared as part of the review and to begin to work on next steps.
First sitting of 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly concludes
Today, the first sitting of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly concluded. The Assembly opened with a Speech from the Throne outlining the government’s priorities for its new mandate.
New works added to Yukon Permanent Art Collection after enhanced call for submissions
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce 21 new works of art have been selected for the Yukon Permanent Art Collection.
The new acquisitions include work from Yukon artists Brenda Lee Asp, Luann Baker-Johnson, Emma Barr, Karen Bien, Faye Chamberlain, Marla Charlie, Cécile Girard, Joshua Lesage, Peter Mather, Lena Moon, Randi Nelson, Barb Pratt, Mark Preston, Martha Jane Ritchie, Ramon Joseph Santos, Doug Smarch Jr., Karen Thomas, Donald Watt and Justien Senoa Wood.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver on the discovery of children’s remains at Kamloops Indian Residential School
Premier Sandy Silver has issued the following statement:
“I mourn with Yukoners after the remains of 215 children were discovered on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on May 27th. This devastating discovery reinforces Canada’s historic and ongoing struggle with systemic racism.
Members of Yukon’s Emergency Medical Services team receive Governor General Award
This morning, Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard awarded the Governor General’s Emergency Medical Services Exemplary Service Medal to 10 members of the Yukon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team at Shipyards Park in Whitehorse.
The Commissioner and award recipients were joined by Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn, Yukon EMS management, members of Yukon EMS’s allied partner agencies at the Fire Marshal’s Office, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Whitehorse Fire Department, as well as their friends and families.
New Yukon Hospital Corporation Board chair named
The Government of Yukon has named Al Lucier as the chair of the Yukon Hospital Corporation Board of Trustees effective June 1, 2021. Lucier will replace previous Chair Brian Gillen whose term expires on May 31, 2021. Lucier has been appointed for a three-year term. As Chair Lucier will continue to oversee the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic.
