Yukon News Releases
Updated: 4 hours 30 min ago
Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act amendments tabled in the Yukon Legislative Assembly
Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 20 today, proposing amendments to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act.
The SCAN Act enables the SCAN Unit to investigate complaints received from the public and take action when illegal or dangerous activity is occurring on a property that negatively affects the neighbourhood. Each activity the SCAN Unit can investigate is identified in the Act as a "specified use", which currently includes illegal drug and alcohol activities and prostitution.
Amendment to Family Property and Support Act tabled
Minister of Justice, Tracy McPhee tabled Bill No. 19 today, a proposed amendment to the Family Property and Support Act. The proposed amendment will allow greater access to spousal support for former common law spouses by removing the time limit for support applications.
New economic development program to support growth and diversification
Please note that the information session dates hosted by the department have been updated.
Today, Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai announced the launch of a new program to maximize the impact of funding investments in response to the needs of Yukon businesses. The new Economic Development Fund provides greater funding flexibility so clients can undertake a wider range of projects that will increase local spending and employment opportunities throughout the territory.
Yukon receives more than $3 million in funding for virtual health care services
A bilateral agreement between the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada will provide funding to increase the capacity to provide virtual care to residents across Yukon.
Universal child care program will make life more affordable for Yukon families
To support Yukon families and make their lives more affordable, the Government of Yukon is investing more than $25 million in 2021–22 towards early learning and child care initiatives. This includes approximately $15 million for a new Yukon-wide universal child care program.
Licensed child care operators who opt into the new universal child care program will receive additional funding from the Government of Yukon, which will benefit families through reduced monthly fees.
Child Care Act amendment tabled
Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee tabled Bill No. 18 today, proposing amendments to the Child Care Act to better support Yukon families and early learners.
The Government of Yukon is requesting proposals for a full review of the rural fire service
The Government of Yukon is committed to completing a transparent review of the current state of the fire service in rural Yukon, with special attention to the community of Keno.
We have released a Request for Proposals for a value-driven service contract for a full, independent review of the fire service in rural Yukon. The review will include an environmental scan, community engagement and a comprehensive report complete with recommendations to the Government of Yukon.
Next steps to move Yukon towards living with COVID-19
The Government of Yukon has released A Path Forward: Next Steps, a strategy outlining how Yukon will move forward through the next phases of the pandemic. The approach focuses on reducing or modifying COVID-19 restrictions. It is contingent on the territory's overall vaccination rate, the new case count remaining low, the understanding and impact of the COVID-19 variants, and ongoing adherence to public health measures.
Virtual conference to promote Yukon’s mineral sector globally
The Government of Yukon is participating in this year’s virtual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference, from March 8 to 11. As part of PDAC, the Government of Yukon is proud to be associated with Invest Canada North, which is a strategic mining industry-led investment attraction initiative during the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference.
Budget makes life more affordable with historic investments in Yukon families, infrastructure and renewable energy
Today, Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver tabled the Government of Yukon’s 2021–22 Budget. The $1.79 billion budget is focused on improving the lives of Yukoners and includes significant investments in education, housing, community infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and Deputy Chief receive COVID-19 vaccine
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley and Deputy Chief Dr. Catherine Elliott received their COVID-19 vaccines today. Both were vaccinated this afternoon at the clinic in Whitehorse.
The clinic opened for all residents, age 18 and older on Monday, March 1, making Whitehorse the first capital city in Canada to open general public clinics. As of March 1, 32 per cent of adult Yukoners had received their first dose of the vaccine. Starting March 11, the clinic in Whitehorse will accept walk-ins.
March 3, 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.
State of emergencyAs of today, Yukon is extending the state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act. This extension is critical to supporting the health, safety and economic wellbeing of Yukoners and ensures that all Ministerial Orders enacted under the State of Emergency remain in place, including the requirement for those entering the territory to self-isolate for 14 days.
Statement from Minister of Environment Pauline Frost on commitments to caribou and climate change in new US-Canadian agreement
On February 23, the President of the United States and the Canadian Prime Minister met and announced the Roadmap for a Renewed US-Canada Partnership.
Minister of Environment Pauline Frost sees this announcement setting course in the right direction. She offers the following statement:
New Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act coming into force April 1, 2021
The territory’s new Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP) and regulations will come into force on April 1, 2021.
The new Act strengthens privacy protections for Yukoners, yet is flexible enough to meet the changing needs of access to information, openness and transparency.
In addition to the new Act and regulations, the government has developed a large suite of publicly available resource materials to support the transition to the new Act, including:
Affordable seniors housing coming to Whitehorse
Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
Yukon societies and business corporations have updated legislation
Yukon societies, business corporations and cooperative associations now have modern, updated legislation to guide them, effective April 1. The Corporate Statutes Amendment Act, which includes updates to the Business Corporations Act, the Cooperative Associations Act and the new Societies Act, has been proclaimed. With the amendments, the new Societies Act has also been proclaimed and its new regulations have been approved.
Campgrounds opening early in 2021
Yukon campers will now have a longer season to enjoy the great outdoors. Campgrounds will open as early as May 1 around the territory, subject to site conditions.
This is the earliest that Yukon campgrounds have ever opened. This extension stems from a commitment in the Yukon Parks Strategy, which launched in 2020.
Council of Yukon First Nations and NGO selected to operate Housing First residence
The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) and John Howard Society Pacific have been selected by the Government of Yukon to assume operation of the Housing First residence on Wood Street in Whitehorse as of April 6, 2021.
The two organizations have formed a new partnership that capitalizes on their mutual and individual areas of expertise. They recently submitted a joint proposal that meets all of the criteria outlined in the Expression of Interest issued by the Government of Yukon in October 2020.
