The fall sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly concluded today. The first sitting of the Third Session of the 34th Yukon Legislative Assembly began on October 3, 2019, with a Speech from the Throne delivered detailing the priorities of the government for the remainder of its mandate.
The 30-day sitting saw several important initiatives announced, including the opening of the territory’s first ever Housing First residence in downtown Whitehorse; the certification of the Mayo aerodrome as an airport; the completion of the Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge replacement; and the release of a draft climate change, energy and green economy strategy for public feedback.
The Honourable Angélique Bernard, Commissioner of Yukon, assented to seven bills that passed during the fall sitting. Highlights include:
- Bill No. 200, the Second Appropriation Act 2019–20, a supplementary budget that includes $43.3 million in capital expenses to complete infrastructure projects and keep up with growing housing demands across the territory, and $19 million to address this year’s long wildfire season;
- Bill No. 2, the Yukon University Act, legislation that will enable Yukon College to transition to Yukon University and become Canada’s first university in the North;
- Bill No. 3, the Tobacco and Vaping Products Control and Regulation Act, which will replace the Smoke-Free Places Act, and includes provisions for vaping and raise the minimum legal age for access to tobacco and vapour products to 19 years old;
- Bill No. 5, the Liquor Act, a modernized law that balances social responsibility with economic opportunities; and
- Bill No. 6, the Act to Amend the Corrections Act, addressing segregation within Yukon’s corrections system.
This has been a very productive sitting. Exciting initiatives are underway, such as the creation of the first university north of 60 and a new ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next 10 years in light of the climate change emergency we are facing in Yukon. My colleagues and I continue to focus on modernizing our laws to support a progressive and inclusive Yukon that promotes the wellbeing of all Yukoners.
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Additional laws assented to during the fall sitting include:
- Bill No. 4, the Act to Amend the Elections Act, enabling a more complete and accurate permanent register of electors;
- Bill No. 7, the Technical Amendments Act, amending the Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Act, the Jury Act and the Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Act.
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The Speech from the Throne identified key priorities of the government, including:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in recognition of the climate change emergency
- Creating a youth panel on climate change
- Expanding early kindergarten across Yukon
- Establishing a tourism advisory board
- An innovation plan to foster a strong economy
- Banning single use bags
- Electrifying the Alaska Highway to support the use of electric vehicles
- Legislation to ban conversion therapy in Yukon
- Introduction of leave provisions for individuals who have experienced domestic violence
- Amending the Small Business Tax Credit
- Creating an energy retrofit loan program to support Yukoners to retrofit their homes
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The spring sitting is scheduled to begin in the first week of March 2020.
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
[email protected]