Yukon News Releases
Updated: 3 hours 15 min ago
New orders under Civil Emergency Measures Act come into force
Three new Ministerial Orders under the Civil Emergency Measures Act are now in force that will allow government to be responsive to the evolving state of emergency in Yukon.
The orders:
New leadership for Yukon Liquor Corporation, Lotteries Yukon and Highways and Public Works
Premier Sandy Silver today announced the appointment of Manon Moreau as the president of the Yukon Liquor Corporation and Lotteries Yukon, and Paul McConnell as the deputy minister for the Department of Highways and Public Works.
McConnell and Moreau will begin in their new roles on July 4.
Canada’s First Ministers issue statement on shared public health approach to support restarting the economy
Canada’s First Ministers released a statement today outlining the principles, criteria, and measures that inform decisions to open the country’s economy while protecting citizens from COVID-19.
Temporary changes to licensing requirements for certain Yukon drivers
Yukon seniors will remain mobile and commercial drivers can continue deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic following passage of a new Driver Medical Order.
April 28, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 28, at 2 p.m. the case count remains at 11 cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
Eight of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered and all others are doing well at home.
Statement from Minister Jeanie Dendys on National Mourning Day
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning. This is a day to remember our friends, colleagues and family members who have died or been injured in the workplace.
Everyday an individual goes to work to provide for themselves and their families, they should return home alive and in good health. No one should be faced with the prospect of going to work and never coming home. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit to be exempted from Yukon Social Assistance
Yukoners receiving Social Assistance benefits will not experience a reduction if they receive the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Currently, under Yukon’s Social Assistance Regulation the CERB would qualify as unearned income and result in a reduction in the total amount of Social Assistance benefits. Forthcoming changes under the Civil Emergency Measures Act will fully exempt CERB payments from April to June 2020.
Yukon receives ventilators from federal emergency response services
Yukon has received six ventilators from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s emergency response services, significantly increasing the territory’s capacity to provide acute care in response to COVID-19.
Yukon now has a total of 15 ventilators distributed between the Yukon Hospital Corporation and Emergency Medical Services. Five of the new ventilators have been assigned to Whitehorse General Hospital, one intensive care unit Puritan Bennett 840 model and four of the portable Newport HT-50 models. One additional portable ventilator has been assigned to Emergency Medical Services.
April 24, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 24, at 3 p.m. the case count remains at 11 cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
Eight of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered and all others are doing well at home. No one has had to go to a hospital.
Daily updates
Property tax payment deadline extended to September 2
The Government of Yukon has extended the deadline for property tax payments from July 2 to September 2, 2020 for citizens and businesses.
Minister of Community Services John Streicker signed a Ministerial Order under the Civil Emergency Measures Act today that will provide Yukon property owners whose incomes are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the ability to pay their property taxes up to September 2 without penalty.
April 22, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 22, at 3 p.m. the case count remains at 11 cases of COVID-19 in the territory.
Eight of the 11 people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered and all others are doing well at home.
April 20, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 20, at 3 p.m. there are two new cases of COVID-19 in the territory, bringing the total number of cases to 11. The new cases relate to a cluster in Whitehorse that is associated with international travel. Contact tracing and investigation continue.
Statement from Premier Sandy Silver to the community of Portapique and the province of Nova Scotia
Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement:
April 17, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 17, at 3 p.m. there is one new case of COVID-19 in the territory, bringing the total number of cases to nine. The new case is in Whitehorse and related to international travel. Contact tracing is underway.
Seven of the nine people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered and no one has had to go to a hospital.
New border control measures come into force
A new Border Control Measures Order to strengthen enforcement at all Yukon borders during the COVID-19 emergency is now in force.
Minister of Community Services John Streicker signed the Ministerial Order under the Civil Emergency Measures Act as a means to ensure that enforcement officers stationed at Yukon’s borders have the legal authority and tools needed to deny entry to non-essential travellers while still permitting essential and critical services and people to return home.
Licensed child care spaces available for critical and essential services workers
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has directed that the Government of Yukon reduce the number of children in licensed child care spaces while ensuring that those child care services are available to critical or essential workers who are currently performing vital services.
National Advance Care Planning Day a reminder to plan ahead
April 16 marks National Advance Care Planning Day. Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost and Yukon’s palliative care physicians, Dr. Danusia Kanachowski and Dr. Alex Kmet, would like to remind people of the importance of having a care plan in place and talking to loved ones and health care providers about their personal care preferences and wishes.
Important information about the 2020 hunting season
Please note that the subzones in this news release have been updated.
As the 2020 hunting season approaches, hunters are encouraged to stay informed about important information and reminders as part of their preparations.
The Permit Hunt Authorization lottery application period will open on April 23. The deadline is May 21, 2020 at 4 p.m.
Changes to the Permit Hunt Authorization include the following.
April 14, 2020: Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health provides update on COVID-19
Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Brendan Hanley 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, April 14, at 3 p.m. the number of cases of COVID-19 in Yukon remains at eight with seven cases in Whitehorse and one in a community.
Six of the eight people who have contracted COVID-19 in Yukon have recovered and no one has had to go to a hospital.
Mineral Development Guidelines in Peel Region Updated According to Regional Land Use Plan
The Government of Yukon has approved an Order In Council to apply new direction for mineral claim staking in the Peel watershed. This Order represents the first implementation action of the approved Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan, developed and approved in partnership with the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, Vuntut Gwitchin Government, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and Gwich’in Tribal Council.
