Yukon News Releases
Updated: 11 hours 33 min ago
35th Yukon Legislative Assembly begins
The first Session of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly began today with a Speech from the Throne delivered by the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard.
The Speech from the Throne reflected on the work of the government to date and outlined the broad agenda for the coming mandate. It identified key priorities that will be the focus of a collaborative approach going forward. These priorities include:
Wildfire risk reduction projects taking place this week in Whitehorse
Wildland Fire Management crews continue organized risk reduction work in Whitehorse this week. Prescribed burning will take place:
- north of the Takhini neighbourhood on Tuesday, May 11; and
- east of Range Road near the old landfill on Wednesday, May 12.
Residents near prescribed fire operations will be notified by Wildland Fire Management staff. Short periods of low-intensity smoke may be visible from the treatment areas.
Nominations are open for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award
The nomination period is now open for the 2021 Council of the Federation Literacy Award. Premier Sandy Silver encourages nominations to recognize Yukoners who demonstrate outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in adult literacy.
This award is presented annually, in each province and territory, to celebrate the work of educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations and businesses in literacy.
Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Brendan Hanley host a live question and answer event for Yukoners
On Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m., Yukoners are invited to tune in and ask questions to Canada’s Chief Public Officer of Health Dr. Theresa Tam and Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley during a live question and answer event moderated by Gurdeep Pandher. Register to watch the live event here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_L8WcR6kzRDe8SCnPrn_MzA
Leadership changes in Government of Yukon departments
Premier Sandy Silver has made changes to leadership positions in the Public Service Commission, the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Department of Environment, Yukon Housing Corporation and the Yukon Liquor Corporation and Lotteries Yukon.
Paul Moore will move from his role as Deputy Minister with the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources to the role of Public Service Commissioner. Moore is replacing Pamela Muir who is retiring from the government.
Yukon lifting restrictions as vaccine uptake increases
Nearly 75 per cent of eligible Yukoners have now received their first vaccine shot and 65 per cent have received both doses. The strong uptake will allow Yukon to lift COVID-19 restrictions starting later this month.
Today Premier Sandy Silver announced plans to ease travel restrictions in the coming weeks. Beginning Tuesday, May 25, people arriving in Yukon from anywhere in Canada will not have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated, provided their vaccination status can be confirmed.
May 5, 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, May 5, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 82. Seventy-nine people have recovered, two people have died and there is one active case. We have tested 7,228 people.
Vaccination rollout progressAs of the end of the day Monday, May 3, there were 48,655 doses of the Moderna vaccine administered in Yukon. This number includes 25,998 first doses and 22,657 second doses.
Premier Silver announces date of first Legislative Assembly sitting
Premier Sandy Silver announced today he has asked the Commissioner of Yukon to convene the first sitting of the 35th Yukon Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, May 11, at 1 p.m.
The session will begin with a Speech from the Throne.
For more information on the Yukon Legislative Assembly visit: https://yukonassembly.ca/.
Jeremy Harper to be nominated for Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly
Premier Sandy Silver intends to nominate Jeremy Harper for the office of the Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.
Jeremy Harper was elected to the Yukon Legislative Assembly in the general election on April 12, 2021, in the electoral district of Mayo-Tatchun.
New Yukon Cabinet sworn in by Commissioner
Premier Sandy Silver and the new Government of Yukon Cabinet were sworn in today by the Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard.
In addition to his role as leader of the territory, Sandy Silver will be the Minister responsible for the Executive Council and the Department of Finance.
The additional Members of Cabinet and their portfolios are:
Government of Yukon issues special warrant to meet financial commitments during budget debate
The Government of Yukon has issued a special warrant to ensure government programs and functions are able to continue while the 2021–22 Budget is debated during the spring legislative sitting.
The special warrant provides budgetary authorization for up to $161 million in government spending for the month of June. Of this amount, $116 million relates to operations and maintenance spending and $45 million is included in capital funding.
May 3, 2021: New COVID-19 case confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms one new case of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 82 cases. There is currently one active case in Yukon.
Premier Silver announces new Chief of Staff
Today, Premier Sandy Silver announced the appointment of Jasmina Randhawa as his new Chief of Staff.
Janet Moodie, current Chief of Staff, is retiring.
Ms. Randhawa will begin her tenure as Chief of Staff effective April 29, 2021.
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver extends condolences after fatal helicopter crash in Nunavut
On April 26, Yellowknife-based Great Slave Helicopters confirmed two flight crew and one biologist died in a crash near Resolute Bay, Nunavut during a helicopter survey of the Lancaster Sound polar bear population.
Upon hearing this news, Premier Silver issued the following statement:
Hours changing at the Whitehorse COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Beginning Saturday, May 1, the Whitehorse vaccine clinic will be reducing its operating hours. The clinic will be open Tuesday to Friday. Appointments are available and can be booked online or by phone. Drop-ins are also welcomed.
New drop-in hours are as follows:
- Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wednesday from 12 to 6 p.m.
Vaccines will continue to be provided in rural communities through the community health centres. Residents can contact their health centre to find out more information.
April 28, 2021: COVID-19 update
Note: During this morning’s livestreamed COVID-19 update, it was reported “four new enforcement charges” had been laid by CEMA officers for failure to self-isolate since April 20. The number of charges was in fact three.
The Government of Yukon has the following updates for the Yukon public on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yukon school calendar dates set for 2021–22
Calendar dates for all Yukon schools for the 2021–22 school year are now set and available online at Yukon.ca.
The dates published online as part of the four-year outlook have been adjusted following feedback from school administrators and school councils. The changes include:
April 26, 2021: COVID-19 associated death in new case
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has confirmed a second death of a Yukon resident with COVID-19.
The person had unrelated health conditions that caused their death. The person contracted COVID-19 near the time of death and is therefore considered a COVID-19 associated death. This person will be counted as case 81.
April 22, 2021: two new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirms two new cases of COVID-19 in Yukon.
- Case 79 and case 80, both adults in Whitehorse, are in the same household. The source of infection is currently under investigation.
Self-isolating and recovering at home. Contact tracing is ongoing.
Public exposure notificationPeople may have been exposed to COVID-19 infection if they were at the following location:
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Wykes’ Your Independent Grocer, Whitehorse
April 21, 2021: COVID-19 case update
One new case of COVID-19 reported for Yukon.
- Case 78 is an adult, associated with international travel.
- Tested positive upon return to Canada and has completed self-isolation prior to returning to Yukon.
- Is now recovered so will not be included in active case count.
- There were no exposures in Yukon as case was not infectious in territory.
Safe 6 plus 1
Everyone should continue to follow the Safe 6 plus 1. Information about the Safe 6 is at: practisesafe6.ca
