Minister of Education Jeanie McLean has issued the following statement:

“Last night marked a historic moment in the Yukon, as we received the preliminary results of the referendum on the First Nation School Board. These results show that seven school communities have voted yes to have their schools operated by the new Yukon First Nation School Board. The official results of the referendum process will be announced on January 31 and we will have more information to share at that time.

The Government of Yukon temporarily indexed residential rent increases in 2021 to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Whitehorse. The index limits rental increases to the rate of change in the CPI for the previous year. The Yukon Bureau of Statistics has determined the CPI for Whitehorse has increased from 1 per cent for 2021–22 to 3.3 per cent for the year beginning May 15, 2022.

Effective April 1, 2022, the Yukon’s minimum wage will increase from $15.20 to $15.70 per hour. This increase is based on the 2021 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse, which is 3.3 per cent.

The Fair Wage paid to people working on government-tendered construction contracts will increase April 1, 2022, by 3.3 per cent across all four wage categories.

The rise in inflation is increasing costs of everyday life for all Yukoners. This increase will help people earning minimum wage to afford necessities. It will also help businesses attract and retain employees. 

Today is National Kids and Vaccines Day, which focuses on COVID-19 vaccination this year. To mark the occasion, organizations such as ScienceUpFirst, Children’s Healthcare Canada and the Sandbox Project have united to provide the best information available on COVID-19 vaccinations for kids aged five to 11 years of age.

With the support of its partners, the Government of Yukon is expanding the availability of take-home, self-administered rapid COVID-19 tests to schools, licensed early learning and child care (ELCC) programs, and communities throughout the Yukon.

The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has declared an outbreak at the Whistle Bend Place long-term care home following the identification of COVID-19 cases among staff and residents in three houses.  

The current situation is contained and routine outbreak management procedures are in place, including screening and testing protocols. Additional information has been shared with staff, residents and families.

The Yukon’s acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Catherine Elliott has reported another death of a Yukon citizen from COVID-19. This brings the total to 16 since the first death was reported in October 2020.

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee has declared a substance use health emergency following a drastic increase in overdose related deaths in the territory.

The Government of Yukon is working closely with partners to advance a range of harm reduction initiatives in response to the emergency. A number of initiatives will be underway including:

The Yukon’s Chief Coroner Heather Jones has confirmed four deaths due to illicit drugs in the first seven days of January 2022. Three of these deaths are the result of fentanyl. Further, the Yukon Coroner’s Service is investigating three more deaths occurring between January 15 and 19 that are suspected to be drug related. Toxicology results related to these three additional deaths are pending.