Yukon News Releases
Updated: 36 min 11 sec ago
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.
Canada and Yukon invest in infrastructure to support communities and the economy
Joint news release with the Government of Canada.
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.
Information on hunting on First Nations Settlement Lands
As the hunting season in Yukon continues and in consideration of COVID-19 concerns, the Government of Yukon would like to remind Yukon hunters of the following information:
Licensed hunters do not require permission to hunt on non-Settlement Lands in any traditional territory.
Licensed hunters need written permission from First Nations:
Yukon First Nations use Gas Tax Fund to support local infrastructure priorities
Five Yukon First Nations have projects underway or completed around the territory with an investment of over $1.42 million of their portions of the federal Gas Tax Fund.
Infrastructure priorities include a new water truck and a sewer truck purchased by the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation will provide improved and essential delivery of clean drinking water and septic sanitation services to over 130 homes and 20 businesses in Old Crow.
What We Heard report regarding the modernization and amalgamation of the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act released
The Government of Yukon is releasing the What We Heard report following engagement on the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The report demonstrates strong support for proposed new legislation that would combine and modernize the two existing acts focused on workplace safety.
Stakeholders also expressed the desire for legislation that reflects the diversity of Yukon employers and workers, and increased communication, education and training around the proposed changes.
Show your local love with the United Way breakfast
The Government of Yukon will host the annual United Way breakfast fundraiser on September 11 at Shipyards Park from 7 to 11 a.m. To ensure appropriate public health measures, this year’s event will provide a take-away breakfast with drive-through and walk-in options. Outdoor seating will be available.
August 19, 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 on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, August 19, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count for Yukon is 15. All 15 people have recovered. We have tested 2,270 people.
Respiratory Assessment Centre
Four Yukon youth honoured for outstanding contributions throughout the territory
Four Yukoners are receiving the Outstanding Youth Achievement Award in recognition for outstanding service and contributions in Yukon. The 2020 recipients are Vanessa Oliverio, Taylor Shorty, Max Zimmermann and Judy Russell.
The award recognizes Yukon youth who enrich their communities, themselves and others through constructive contributions. Recipients have demonstrated a passion for volunteering, fundraising, helping seniors and Elders, and acting as positive role models and ambassadors for their communities.
Yukon projects receive support from the Community Development Fund
Twenty-five community projects from across Yukon are receiving a total of $815,597 in Tier 1 and Tier 2 funding through the Community Development Fund.
Funding recipients include the Dawson City Yukon University campus to provide a program on recreation, culture and leisure event planning. The full list of recipients can be found below.
New eProcurement system launches in Yukon
A new eProcurement system that will make government procurement easier, faster and more reliable for businesses is now live.
The Government of Yukon has replaced the current Tender Management System (TMS) with a new, more efficient platform called bids&tenders. The online system has features that will streamline procurement, including:
Reconstruction of Hamilton Boulevard extension begins
Long-awaited repairs to an approximately 500-metre section of the Hamilton Boulevard extension will begin on August 18 and take approximately four weeks to complete.
Ice-rich permafrost under this section of the Hamilton Boulevard extension has been monitored for a number of years. Repairs can be made now that the permafrost has thawed.
Incorrect information about the Yukon Community Program on YouTube
Please note that the contact information has been updated.
The territory has seen a recent increase in immigration enquiries as a result of videos hosted on YouTube. The Government of Yukon is aware that many of these videos contain incorrect or misleading program information and is working to address the matter directly with YouTube. The Department of Economic Development is also liaising with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce to monitor potential negative impacts.
Yukon’s next 100 years of aviation is about to take flight
The Government of Yukon is releasing a What We Heard document that will inform Flight Path, a 10-year investment strategy for aviation in Yukon.
Earlier this year stakeholders, governments, aviation experts and more than 500 survey respondents shared their ideas, priorities and concerns on the future of aviation in the territory during a series of public and stakeholder engagement sessions.
As Yukon prepares to celebrate 100 years of aviation in Yukon, this feedback will guide future investment in Yukon’s aviation system over the next 10 years.
TAO Tel-Aide to continue providing French-speaking help line services
The Government of Yukon has renewed an agreement with TAO Tel-Aide to provide French-speaking help line services in Yukon for another three years.
Since 2017, Yukon Francophones have had access to a confidential telephone service where they can receive emotional support in French. The help line is based out of south-western Quebec and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The 1-800-567-9699 line is free and confidential. Experienced volunteers, supported by a team of professionals, are there to listen.
Government of Yukon endorses Putting People First
The Government of Yukon is moving forward with the direction proposed in Putting People First, the final report of the comprehensive review of health and social services.
Putting People First provides a roadmap to transform Yukon’s health and social services system into a more integrated, collaborative and person-centred system that will better meet the needs of Yukoners.
August 12, 2020: COVID-19 update
The Government of Yukon has the following updates on measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 case count
As of today, August 12, at 2 p.m. the COVID-19 case count is 15. Yukon currently has 13 recovered cases and 2,062 people have been tested.
Masks in schools
Update on school operational plans and school bussing for 2020–21
School operational plans and school bussing information, including bus routes and schedules, for 2020–21 are being shared this week.
School operational plans
Each school in Yukon is required to have an operational plan that outlines how the school will meet the health and safety guidelines for Kindergarten to Grade 12 school settings set by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
One new case of COVID-19 in Yukon
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Brendan Hanley today announced the first in-territory case of COVID-19 since April 20, 2020, bringing the territory’s total to 15, including the three Yukon residents diagnosed outside Yukon.
The person is a Whitehorse resident who is recovering at home. Yukon Communicable Disease Control (YCDC) has begun contact tracing.
The individual travelled recently to Dawson. All Dawson-related contacts have been identified and are being followed up on.
Government of Yukon shares feedback on student learning during the end of the 2019–20 school year
Yukon students, families and school staff were recently asked to share their experiences and perspectives with learning during the end of the 2019–20 school year. A summary of survey results is now available on engageyukon.ca.
