Joint statement from Minister McPhee and Chief Coroner Heather Jones on efforts to regulate social work

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Chief Coroner Heather Jones have issued the following joint statement:

“The Government of Yukon is continuing its work to develop regulations for social workers, building on recommendations made to strengthen accountability and professional standards in the territory. This reflects the government’s commitment to aligning the Yukon’s practices with national standards, ensuring Yukoners receive consistent, high-quality services.

“This work builds on the recommendations from the June 2023 Coroner’s Inquest into the death of a seven-month-old infant. The inquest jury highlighted the need to regulate social work in the Yukon, recognizing that all other Canadian jurisdictions, except Nunavut, have already established professional standards and oversight in this field. During the inquest, expert testimony reinforced how regulation strengthens consistency and accountability, ensuring practitioners are held to defined qualifications and standards of care.

“The Coroner’s Office plays a vital role in examining systemic issues and identifying opportunities for improvement in public safety and services. To be clear, the recommendations made following this inquest were all accepted by the government and have informed work to regulate social workers. This reinforces the Yukon government’s commitment to meaningful change in response to identified gaps.

“The Yukon government has met with the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada to initiate discussions about regulating social workers and what is involved in that work. To date, these discussions have focused on the need to modernize the Health Professions Act prior to adding new professions under it and that we will welcome participation of social workers on that project and work with the association to understand the appropriate social worker requirements for any proposed regulation.

“Developing regulations for social workers also aligns with broader efforts to modernize health care and social services in the Yukon, ensuring these systems are prepared to meet the needs of a growing and changing population. By taking these steps, the government is advancing professional accountability and improving outcomes for Yukoners.”