Yukon News Releases

The Government of Yukon today announced that a special assistance line has been added to security screening at the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.

The line will provide those with mobility challenges, visual impairment and hearing impairment with a dedicated access point. It is available for use as of today.

• Read more about Dedicated special assistance line opens at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport

Yukoners are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how to sustainably grow tourism in the territory through a new public engagement process launched today by Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys.

• Read more about Share your thoughts on the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy

Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost, and her counterparts from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, participated in a national meeting called by federal Minister of Indigenous Services Jane Philpott.

The meeting, which took place over two days beginning on January 24, also included the participation of Yukon Chiefs, First Nation government representatives and other Government of Yukon officials. It was organized to address the over-representation of Indigenous children in care systems across the country.

• Read more about Statement from Minister Frost about the meeting on Indigenous children in care

Premier Sandy Silver released the following statement today:

• Read more about Statement from Premier Silver on the passing of Carcross/Tagish First Nation Elder Doris McLean

Yesterday evening, Government of Yukon staff and Tetra Tech engineers assessed the progress of the Dawson ice bridge.

Conditions have been challenging for the workers attempting to induce ice formation during the past week due to higher-than-normal temperatures. Based on the progress to date, engineers estimated that it would take a further 90 days to complete the bridge.

As a result, it was determined that there was not enough ice formation to justify the government continuing with the project.

• Read more about Work has ended on Dawson ice bridge

The Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust is providing $203,173 to nine community-led projects which focus on crime prevention and services for victims.

Many of the projects receiving funding are designed to reduce young Yukoners’ vulnerability to negative influences and involvement in crime by encouraging healthy relationships, mental and physical wellness, life skills and a sense of community.

• Read more about Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Fund supports nine community-led projects

Premier Sandy Silver and Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai will lead the Yukon delegation at both the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference and the Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver next week to highlight Yukon’s mineral potential, geology and regulatory regime.

Premier Silver will host a meeting with Yukon First Nations Chiefs and mineral industry executives. He will also speak at the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce’s Reception and at the Invest Yukon Pavilion.

• Read more about Exploration, energy and First Nations top Government of Yukon agenda in Vancouver, January 20–25

Joint news release with the Council of Yukon First Nations

The Government of Yukon is handing over responsibility and administration of the Yukon Native Language Centre to the Council of Yukon First Nations today.

The Council of Yukon First Nations requested that the Government of Yukon transfer full control of the centre as part of the critical priority Yukon First Nations have placed upon the revitalization of their languages. The centre has been the joint responsibility of the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Yukon for more than 30 years.

• Read more about Council of Yukon First Nations assumes responsibility of Yukon Native Language Centre

Government of Yukon staff and contractors began their attempt to build an ice bridge in Dawson this afternoon. This marks the first time that the government has tried to induce ice formation for the purposes of creating an ice bridge.

If the construction is successful and ice and weather conditions are favourable, the government will expect the bridge to be open to the public in a few weeks.

• Read more about Dawson ice bridge under construction

Joint news release with Teslin Tlingit Council 

Today, Premier Sandy Silver and Teslin Tlingit Council Naa Sháade Háni Richard Sidney met in Teslin to sign an intergovernmental agreement.

The agreement will help the governments successfully facilitate economic, social, cultural and development initiatives. It will also enhance government-to-government collaboration and reconciliation by outlining shared priorities and creating a plan to address these matters together.

• Read more about Government of Yukon and Teslin Tlingit Council sign intergovernmental agreement to work together on shared priorities

The Government of Yukon has released a draft legislative summary of its Cannabis Control and Regulation Act and is seeking feedback from Yukoners, First Nation governments and municipalities.

The summary outlines the key provisions of the proposed Act, which must be passed prior to the federal government's legalization of cannabis in Canada this summer.

The proposed Act is being developed in a manner to reflect the Government of Yukon’s guiding principles and is informed by feedback received from Yukoners in 2017.

• Read more about Yukon releases draft legislative summary of proposed Cannabis Control and Regulation Act

Joint news release with the City of Whitehorse

The Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse today launched Talking Together: A stronger dialogue between you and your government, a joint effort to learn what Yukoners see as meaningful engagement.

Yukoners are invited to give their thoughts on what we can do to better engage with the public and help us to become more accountable, transparent and responsive.

• Read more about Yukoners invited to help the Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse improve public engagement

Since the last count in 2013, the population has grown from an estimated 198,000 to 218,000 caribou. The herd has grown annually at a rate of 3.7 per cent since the 2010 estimate of 169,000.

• Read more about New population estimate for the Porcupine caribou herd

Premier Sandy Silver yesterday announced that the Government of Yukon is developing the Order of Yukon. He made the announcement at the Commissioner’s New Year’s Levee, which was Commissioner Doug Phillips’ final public event.

At present, Yukon has no award equal to those offered in other Canadian provinces and territories. The Order will give Yukoners the opportunity to nominate exceptional individuals for highest-level recognition.

• Read more about Order of Yukon in development

Between August 16 and September 13, Yukoners were invited to answer questions about how the rebate should be delivered and whether any organizations or populations should be given additional consideration.

The territory’s independent Financial Advisory Panel has concluded its engagement with Yukoners and has released its final report containing financial options to help support Yukon’s vision for a bright financial future.

Public Accounts confirm deficit anticipated by government during spring budget speech.

Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has once again delivered a ‘AA’ credit rating as part of its annual review of the Yukon’s fiscal health and capacity to handle debt.

Finance Minister Sandy Silver announced the start of the engagement process around Yukon's financial future.

Share your input on how the Yukon government can best develop a rebate that will return revenues from the federal carbon price to Yukoners and local businesses.