Yukon News Releases
Updated: 7 hours 34 min ago
Review of inclusive and special education in Yukon extended
The Government of Yukon is extending the review of inclusive and special education into the 2020–21 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension will provide more time and opportunities to safely connect and gather perspectives on these programs and services.
Engagement opportunities with families, educators, school communities, partners and Yukon First Nations originally planned for April and May 2020 are being rescheduled for this fall. The extended engagement opportunities include:
September 16, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that we have added a clarification to the "Other approved jurisdictions" category.
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, September 16, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 3,020 people.
Permanent funding for glucose monitors available to adult Yukoners
Yukoners over 18 years of age with type 1 diabetes will have access to fully-funded flash glucose monitors, starting October 1, 2020.
Glucose monitors can help individuals living with type 1 diabetes to better monitor their glucose levels.
Yukon is the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors to individuals 18 years of age and younger, and joins Ontario and Quebec in providing coverage for flash glucose monitors.
Passengers at Whitehorse airport to begin using separate baggage drop-off
The Government of Yukon is working with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to upgrade the baggage handling system at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport. During construction, passengers will be required to bring their baggage through the terminal to a separate baggage drop-off after check-in. This temporary system will be in place starting September 15, 2020, until the end of February 2021 at which time passengers can return to checking their bags as usual.
Climate change, energy and green economy strategy for Yukon announced
Today the Government of Yukon released Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy. The strategy includes 131 actions the Government of Yukon will take to address the impacts of climate change while building a green economy and ensuring Yukoners can access reliable, affordable and renewable energy over the next decade.
Coming together for caribou
Partners to the Canadian Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement gathered on September 3, 2020, to respond to the Record of Decision on oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and reaffirm our commitment to conserving the Porcupine caribou herd and its habitat.
Together, the parties released this statement:
“We do not believe the selected alternative in the Record of Decision is sustainable for Porcupine caribou.
Government of Yukon seeks feedback on COVID-19 impacts to non-profit societies
This news release has been updated. To obtain more information, or obtain a copy of the survey, contact the email address or phone number listed below.
As part of its response to the impacts of COVID-19, the Government of Yukon is conducting a survey of Yukon’s non-profit societies to gain a better understanding of economic and operational pressures related to the pandemic.
Yukon extending state of emergency to maintain response to COVID-19
Please note that the formatting of the list of repealed Ministerial Orders has been corrected.
The Government of Yukon is extending the state of emergency under the Civil Emergency Measures Act (CEMA). The extension will allow the Ministerial Orders issued under CEMA to remain in place to continue to support and protect Yukoners, including the Health Protection Order.
Premier Sandy Silver statement on the passing of Elder Stephen Frost Sr.
On behalf of the Government of Yukon and my Cabinet colleagues, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies on the passing of Yukon Elder Stephen Frost Sr.
Mr. Frost was an active and knowledgeable member of his community and a respected Vuntut Gwitchin Elder.
Support for a positive culture in Yukon workplaces
The Government of Yukon has approved a new regulation aimed at preventing violence and harassment, two serious workplace hazards. The regulation will help to foster a positive culture in the workplace as well as physical and psychological safety for Yukon workers.
Yukoners’ access to routine glaucoma care now streamlined
Changes to Yukon’s Optometrists Regulation will now allow optometrists in the territory to treat glaucoma patients without first referring them to an ophthalmologist.
This change, effective immediately, will support quality and efficient care by aligning what Yukon optometrists practice with the training Canadian optometrists currently receive in glaucoma management. Under the change, optometrists must still refer glaucoma patients to ophthalmologists when necessary, for example, in the care of complex cases or if a case is worsening.
School bus routes being updated
School bus routes are being updated which may effect existing pick-up times for some students.
Updated bus routes will be posted on Yukon.ca by the end of the workday on Friday, September 4. Updated bus routes will take effect on Tuesday, September 8.
Canada and Yukon invest in fireguard to protect Whitehorse residents
The safety and well-being of northerners are top priorities of the governments of Canada and Yukon. But the COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than residents’ personal health, it is also having a profound impact on the economy.
That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done.
September 2, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that testing dates in the Respiratory Assessment Centre have been updated, and we have added a clarification to the "Other approved jurisdictions" category.
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, September 2, at 2 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 2,643 people.
Respiratory Assessment Centre
The F.H. Collins track and field complex is now complete
The new track and field complex at F.H. Collins Secondary School is now complete and opened to the public today.
Minister of Community Services John Streicker, Minister of Education Tracy-Anne McPhee, Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis and MLA Nils Clarke joined representatives from Athletics Yukon, the Yukon Soccer Association and F.H. Collins School to celebrate the opening of the facility.
Yukon palaeontology program helps reveal Mysteries of the Mastodon in important new study
The Government of Yukon’s palaeontology program has helped co-author the first large-scale genetic study of American mastodons being published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.
Yukon sport and recreation groups receiving COVID-19 relief funds
The Government of Yukon has begun distributing $1,687,000 in federal relief funds to support local not-for-profit sport and recreation organizations affected by COVID-19. This funding is part of the $500 million in COVID-19 relief funding that the Government of Canada announced in May 2020 for cultural, heritage and sport organizations across the country.
Government of Yukon announces arts funding recipients
The Government of Yukon is pleased to announce the latest recipients of its Arts Fund, Advanced Artist Award and On Yukon Time arts funding programs. Representing approximately $345,000, the three funding streams were boosted this spring with additional funds, expanded eligibility and extra intake dates to help offset the effects of COVID-19 across the arts sector.
August 26, 2020: COVID-19 update
Please note that the failure to self-isolate count has been updated, and we have added a clarification to the "Other approved jurisdictions" category.
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, August 26, at 3 p.m., the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. Everyone has recovered. We have tested 2,459 people.
Respiratory Assessment Centre
Government of Yukon welcomes Safe Return to Class funding
The Government of Yukon will receive up to $4.16 million from the Government of Canada’s new Safe Return to Class Fund to help further the safety of students and staff members throughout the school year.
The federal government will provide the funding in two phases: 50 per cent now and 50 per cent in early 2021.
