Yukon leaders were in Ottawa this week for Yukon Days to discuss the territory’s priorities with the federal government.
Yukon Days is an annual event featuring engagements in Ottawa with the Yukon Premier and Ministers, Yukon First Nations Chiefs and federal Ministers to discuss Yukon priorities. This year’s Yukon Days began with an Intergovernmental Forum on Monday, which brought together Yukon First Nations, Government of Yukon and Government of Canada leaders to discuss shared priorities on the 50th anniversary of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow. At the Intergovernmental Forum, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada signed a trilateral Letter of Intent confirming their commitment to work collaboratively toward the construction and operation of a Yukon First Nations-led land-based Healing Centre.
Following the Intergovernmental Forum, Yukon First Nations Chiefs joined Premier Pillai, Deputy Premier Jeanie McLean, Minister Nils Clarke Minister John Streicker, Minister Richard Mostyn, and Yukon MP Brendan Hanley for trilateral meetings with federal Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. These joint meetings offered an opportunity to highlight interests of importance to Yukoners, including combatting the Substance Use Health Emergency, building affordable housing and increasing community safety.
Premier Pillai led his Cabinet delegation in a series of bilateral meetings with federal Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and MP Hanley to advance Yukon priorities in areas including clean energy, affordable housing and infrastructure.
In a meeting with the Prime Minister, Premier Pillai spoke to collaborative efforts to enhance affordability, strengthen health care and ensure a strong and secure North. Their discussions emphasized the need for ongoing federal investments in critical infrastructure, affordable housing and clean energy, with a commitment to Indigenous partnerships.
While in Ottawa, Premier Pillai delivered a keynote speech at the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum, focusing on the Yukon’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific region, including opportunities advanced through his mission to Asia in September. The Premier and members of his Cabinet met with EU Ambassadors, the UK High Commissioner and the Philippines’ Ambassador to Canada. Following the trip to Ottawa, the Premier held meetings in Toronto with private and public investors to actively promote the Yukon’s investment potential and met jointly with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey.
Every year, Yukon Days brings the issues that matter most to Yukoners to federal leaders. This week, I had the opportunity to speak to the continued need for federal support for affordable housing in the territory, investing in strategic, dual-use infrastructure that can propel economic growth and Arctic security, and centring the needs of northerners in the national dialogue. Through our engagements alongside Yukon First Nations Chiefs, we brought a strong, united voice to Ottawa. Collaboration across all levels of government is crucial to advance reconciliation and addressing the challenges facing Yukoners and all Canadians. This dedication to cooperation is vital for guiding our communities toward a more inclusive, prosperous and harmonious future.
Premier Ranj Pillai
- This year, joint meetings with Yukon Cabinet Ministers and Yukon First Nations leaders included:
- Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Ya’ara Saks;
- Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser;
- Minister of Health Mark Holland; and,
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs (Cybersecurity) Jennifer O’Connell
- The Premier and Ministers also met bilaterally with:
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau;
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland;
- Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson;
- Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds;
- Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien ;
- Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O’Regan Jr. ;
- Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Dan Vandal;
- Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree;
- Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant Pablo Rodriguez;
- Minister of National Defence Bill Blair;
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly;
- President of the Treasury Board Anita Anand;
- Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera;
- Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Soraya Martinez Ferrada;
- Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault;
- Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness Sherry Romanado;
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Mike Kelloway; and,
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity Adam van Koeverden.
- The Premier, Deputy Premier McLean, Minister Clarke and Minister Streicker also continued to advance the Yukon’s international engagement in a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union in Canada Dr. Melita Gabrič and a group of 18 European Union member state ambassadors.
- The Premier also met with Philippine Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria and UK High Commissioner Susannah Goshko.
- In Toronto, the Premier met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francouer@yukon.ca
Myra Nicks
Communications, Executive Council Office
867-667-5339
myra.nicks@yukon.ca