Yukon News Releases
Updated: 11 hours 1 min ago
Universal childcare and early kindergarten will support Yukon families
The Government of Yukon is working to implement high-quality early-learning opportunities to support improved long-term outcomes for children in all areas of their education and development.
Yukon families will have increased access to high quality, affordable childcare options for their children starting on April 1, 2021. Additionally, full-time early kindergarten programs will be offered in all rural Yukon schools starting in the 2021–22 school year.
Regulations and standards for the practice of midwifery approved
The Government of Yukon has approved a regulatory framework for the practice of midwifery in the territory, marking the completion of a key step in the initiative to regulate, fund and integrate midwifery services into Yukon’s healthcare system.
The new Midwifery Regulation, under the Health Professions Act, will work alongside standards of practice and a code of ethics to assure Yukoners that licensed midwives in the territory have met qualification standards and that there are rules in place to support the safe practice of midwifery in Yukon.
Yukon’s private sector sees benefits of small business tax rate reduced to zero
Yukon’s small business tax rate has been reduced from two per cent to zero. This change took effect on January 1, 2021 as one of the measures introduced as part of the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2020. This change will support Yukon businesses and is expected to save this sector approximately $2 million per year. Yukon joins Manitoba as one of two Canadian jurisdictions to permanently reduce this tax rate to zero. The government anticipates approximately 2,000 small businesses will benefit from the rate reduction.
Indigenous employees recognized by Premier Sandy Silver
Premier Sandy Silver presented the 2020 Indigenous Employees Award of Honour to Morgane Pennycook for her innovation, leadership and commitment to public service.
Government of Yukon passes new regulation to manage use of off-road vehicles
The Government of Yukon’s new Off-Road Vehicle Management Area Regulation will allow additional control of off-road vehicle use in identified areas in Yukon.
The regulation will provide an effective regime to prevent, reduce and mitigate the environmental impacts of off-road vehicle use on public land, while recognizing the needs of responsible off-road vehicle users.
The new regulation will also assist the Government of Yukon in meeting commitments made with respect to planned areas such as the Peel watershed region and Ddhaw Ghro Habitat Protection Area.
January 27, 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 today, Wednesday, January 27, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 70. Sixty-nine people have recovered, one person has died and there are no active cases. We have tested 6,245 people.
Yukon filmmakers moving projects forward
Four Yukon filmmakers have been awarded funding to undertake film projects through the Yukon Filmmakers Fund. Recipients for the December 2020 intake are Jackleg Films Inc., Michael Khan, TSU North Inc., Yasmine Renaud and Justine Hobbs. The fund covers a range of projects, which this year include documentaries, drama and horror.
The fund provides support to Yukon film and video professionals helping them develop viable careers and businesses by supporting the making of films and videos for broadcast and commercial release while advancing their filmmaking skills.
Whitehorse clinic and vaccine eligibility updates
Appointments are now available for Yukoners 65 years and older living in Whitehorse, Ibex Valley, Marsh Lake and Mount Lorne areas. .
Appointments can be booked at yukon.ca/this-is-our-shot or by calling 1-877-374-0425. After receiving a vaccine Yukoners must continue to follow the Safe 6 plus 1.
Appointments for Whitehorse and area residents age 60 and older will start February 1 and for everyone 18 and over on February 10.
Check for recalled Solstice Haskap Cider cans
The Yukon Berry Farms is recalling Solstice Haskap Cider sold in six-pack, 355ML cans and four-pack, mixed 355ML cans, between December 17, 2020, and January 25, 2021.
The Yukon Liquor Corporation is advising licensees and residents to check if they have any of these products on hand.
The corporation has removed the affected product from shelves and encourages licensees to do the same.
The recall only affects the products listed below:
Statement from Premier Silver regarding the Kudz Ze Kayah Project
Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement:
"I am very disappointed with the federal government’s decision to refer the recommendation for the Kudz Ze Kayah Project back to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) Executive Committee for reconsideration.
Yukon filmmaker receives project support
Yukon filmmaker Ia Greer is being awarded $20,000 by the Government of Yukon and The Harold Greenberg Fund for the production of her animated short, Snow Bear. This film features the emotional and spiritual connection between sisters in the frozen wilderness.
The award includes production support and advice. This marks the second year of the Northern Shorts Program, which was established to develop the media industry in Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Statement from Minister Frost on President Biden’s moratorium being a step in the right direction for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Within hours of his inauguration, US President Joe Biden issued an executive order stopping the Bureau of Land Management’s current oil and gas lease program for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
This is an important step towards reversing the former administration’s efforts to open the critical habitat to industrial development and will help maintain the sustainability of the important Porcupine caribou herd.
Government of Yukon provides additional staffing and tutoring supports for the 2020–21 school year
The Government of Yukon is hiring more educators and has increased funding for tutoring programs to support students for the remainder of the 2020–21 school year.
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru closes
The drive-thru COVID-19 screening service in Whitehorse will close end of day today. The drive-thru, located at Centennial Motors, 91628 Alaska Highway, in the wash bay, will no longer be open or available for testing people with symptoms.
The drive-thru testing centre was opened on November 23, 2020 to help meet the increased demand for testing. Since its opening, 816 people were tested at the drive-thru. Due to the low testing rates, this additional location is no longer needed.
Outstanding service recognized by Premier Sandy Silver
Premier Sandy Silver presented three individuals and three teams with the 2020 Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation. The individual recipients are Andrew Smith, Josee Bergeron and Bobbi Rhodes. The team recipients are the Dawson and Mayo Modernization Infrastructure Team; Mental Wellness and Substance Use Immunization Team; and the Our Clean Future Strategy Development Team.
January 20, 2021: COVID-19 update
Please note that the number of Yukoners who have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine has been corrected, as well as the number of decals distributed indicating out-of-territory vehicles allowed in Yukon.
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 recoveries
Candidates selected for Youth Panel on Climate Change
A diverse group of 13 young climate leaders have been selected to form the Government of Yukon’s first Youth Panel on Climate Change. The panel members were chosen in December and met with Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Community Services John Streicker during a virtual meeting on January 19.
Panel members include:
Shingles and HPV vaccines are now available in pharmacies
Vaccinations are one of the most effective public health interventions for promoting and maintaining good health. To support Yukoners’ long-term wellbeing and quality of life, the Government of Yukon is publicly funding the shingles vaccine, Shingrix, for Yukoners between the ages of 65 and 70.
In addition to this, the Government of Yukon is also expanding the eligibility of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program to include all Yukoners up to and including age 26.
Government of Yukon aviation projects reach new heights
The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Aviation Advisory Committee met yesterday to discuss a number of initiatives impacting the territory’s aviation sector. The committee reviewed and provided their feedback on the Public Airports Act Regulations.
