Yukon News Releases
Updated: 9 hours 15 min ago
Commissioner of Yukon introduces the 2020 Inductees to the Order of Yukon
The Commissioner of Yukon Angélique Bernard, in her capacity as Chancellor of the Order of Yukon, is honoured and thrilled to announce the 2020 inductees to the Order of Yukon. The inductees were chosen from the many nominations that were submitted to the Advisory Council.
The following 2020 inductees were chosen for their demonstrated excellence and achievement and their outstanding contributions to the social, cultural or economic well-being of Yukon and its residents:
Centralized flu clinic will be shutting its doors two weeks early
With uptake for flu vaccine slowing, the mass clinic at the Whitehorse Convention Centre will reduce operating hours beginning this Friday, December 4. Flu inoculation will continue to be provided for adults through participating pharmacists in Whitehorse as well as two Wednesday evening clinics on Wednesday, December 9, and Wednesday, December 16, for children under five years of age. Rural clinics will continue as planned.
December 1, 2020: 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 recoveries
As of today, December 1, the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 47. Twenty-nine people have recovered, one person has died and there are currently 17 active cases. We have tested 5,336 people.
Support programs
Masks now mandatory in all indoor public spaces
We amended this news release at 16:37 on December 1, 2020. We clarified that:
- the Order applies to everyone in Yukon, not just Yukon residents:
- people can remove their masks when they're seated at a restaurant or bar table rather than having to be consuming food or drink; and
- people who are providing as well as receiving personal or health care services can remove their masks if required.
We've also clarified the definition of a mask by removing a reference to face coverings.
Additional relief funding available for tourism sector and non-profit organizations
Today, Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie McLean announced the Tourism Non-Accommodation Sector Supplement and the Culture and Tourism Non-profit Sector Supplement.
November 29, 2020: new COVID-19 case confirmed
Yukon Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed one new case of COVID-19 today, bringing the territory’s total to 46 cases. There are currently 16 active cases in Yukon.
This case is in Whitehorse and is currently under investigation.
An additional public exposure notification is being issued for:
November 27, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 45 cases. There are currently 15 active cases in Yukon.
All three cases are in Whitehorse and all remain under investigation:
- Case 43 and 44 are linked to a known case in Whitehorse.
- Case 45 is linked to travel outside Yukon.
Additional public exposure notifications are being issued for:
COVID-19 Recovery Research Program launched
This is a joint news release with the Government of Canada.
Today, the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon announced a research program that focusses on gathering the unique information needed to support Yukon’s strategic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is requesting expressions of interest for research projects to support the territory’s recovery from the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic.
Canada and Yukon invest in local energy and snowmaking at Mount Sima
Joint news release with the Government of Canada.
Yukoners need recreational facilities that are accessible, efficient and environmentally responsible.
Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef, and on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna, and Minister of Community Services for the Government of Yukon John Streicker, announced funding for recreational infrastructure at the Mount Sima ski hill in Whitehorse.
November 26, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 42 cases. There are six new recoveries and 12 active cases in Yukon.
Two cases are in Whitehorse and the third is in a rural community:
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru extended
Drive-thru testing will be extended for two weeks at the Centennial Motors wash bay location with further extension at a possible new location into 2021. Testing and contract tracing remain a critical part of the Government of Yukon’s management of COVD-19 in the territory. With a growing demand for testing, the Government of Yukon responded quickly to launch the new testing centre to increase testing capacity.
Largest Whitehorse land lottery includes residential and commercial lots
Minister of Community Services John Streicker and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and of Economic Development Ranj Pillai were joined by City of Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis today to launch the largest ever lottery and tender of lots in Whitehorse.
Leede Jones Gable identifies Yukon’s mining industry as a good investment
A Canadian-based investment company looking for socially-conscious investment opportunities is focusing on Yukon. Leede Jones Gable has identified Yukon as a potential top-tier mining jurisdiction with significant potential for long-term sustainable investments, commonly referred to as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investments.
Statement from Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley regarding daycares
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley has issued the following statement.
We have received confirmation that an employee of a daycare in Whitehorse has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is self-isolating and recovering well at home. The families of the children who had contact with the employee have been contacted directly by Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) and instructed to self-isolate through the morning of December 1, 2020. The owner has chosen to close the daycare until November 30, 2020.
Fifth Yukon Resource Gateway Project agreement reached
The Government of Yukon and Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation have reached a Project Agreement to upgrade three bridges along the Freegold Road. The Project Agreement provides funding for Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation to effectively participate in the planning, design, regulatory processes and construction activities of the project.
Yukon Essential Workers Income Support Program extended
The Yukon Essential Workers Income Support Program has been extended to February 15, 2021. The program provides low-income essential workers with a wage top-up of up to $4.00 per hour for 16 weeks. All services identified as critical or essential in the Guidelines for the delivery of critical, essential and other services are eligible.
November 24, 2020: COVID-19 update
The new self-isolation rules have been added to this news release.
The airline, Air Canada, for Flight 111 on November 7, has been corrected.
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
Whitehorse COVID-19 screening drive-thru opens
This release has been updated. The drive-thru COVID-19 service will be available until Saturday, November 28, 2020.
A drive-thru COVID-19 screening service opened in Whitehorse on Sunday, November 22, 2020. The drive-thru is located at Centennial Motors, 91628 Alaska Highway, in the wash bay.
Drive-thru testing will help meet the increased demand for testing. It will be used for people with COVID-19 symptoms, providing an easier and more convenient way for them to get tested.
November 23, 2020: new COVID-19 cases confirmed
The active case count number has been corrected from 10 to 14.
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley confirmed six new cases of COVID-19, bringing the territory’s total to 38 cases. There are currently 14 active cases in Yukon.
Five of the new cases are linked to a previous case while one is still under investigation. Yukon Communicable Disease Control is reaching out to contacts.
These new cases represent three separate clusters and outbreaks.
Fortymile caribou herd winter harvest opportunity opens
The Government of Yukon will open a licensed threshold harvest on the Fortymile caribou herd for Yukon resident hunters, starting December 1, 2020. The harvest will be open until March 31, 2021, or when the threshold limit of 300 caribou is met, whichever happens sooner. Hunters can see the latest harvest numbers.
