Government launches new driver licensing and registration system

The Government of Yukon is launching a new integrated system that will streamline vehicle and licence-related transactions and better protect Yukoners’ personal information.

YuDriv is a client-centred platform that includes a new driver licensing and registration system. Once fully implemented, this system will improve service delivery and lay the groundwork for additional online services for Yukoners.

Four Yukon-based organizations receive funding to prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls

Four Yukon-based organizations will receive $50,000 each over the next two years to help prevent violence against Indigenous women and girls in Yukon. The funding comes from the Prevention of Violence against Aboriginal Women fund.

Funding for the projects is administered through the Government of Yukon Women’s Directorate, which supports women’s and equality-seeking organizations.

Yukoners encouraged to try out for Team Yukon

Beginning this weekend, interested participants from across the territory will have the opportunity to try out for Team Yukon for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games. For the upcoming Games, participants can try out for 21 different sports and Team Yukon’s cultural contingent. The first sports trials begin this weekend, November 1 to 3, for futsal, basketball and volleyball.

Fossils suggest ancient rhinos and turtles once roamed Yukon

According to a study published today by the journal American Museum Novitates, fossils found near Whitehorse in the 1970s indicate rhinoceroses and turtles inhabited Yukon approximately eight million years ago.

2018–19 Public Accounts show $5.8 million deficit

Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver tabled the 2018–19 Public Accounts today in the Legislative Assembly. As anticipated, the non-consolidated public accounts had a small deficit.

The non-consolidated annual deficit for 2018–19 was $5.8 million. On a consolidated basis, including all entities within the Government of Yukon’s control, the annual surplus for 2018–19 was $2.3 million.

Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee report tabled

Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost tabled the report of the Child and Family Services Act Review Advisory Committee today in the Legislative Assembly.

The report, Embracing the Children of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, contains 149 recommendations and is the culmination of 18 months of public engagement throughout the territory by the six-member independent advisory committee.

Yukoners to receive first carbon rebate in October

Yukoners will start receiving their carbon price rebates on October 31, 2019.

Yukoners are automatically eligible for a rebate if they filed a 2018 Yukon income tax return, and will receive $43 each. The Canada Revenue Agency will issue payments by direct deposit or cheque.

Families receive their rebate as a combined payment per household. For married and common-law partners, a combined rebate will be paid to the person who filed their 2018 tax return first. Yukoners with dependent children will receive a payment that includes a rebate for each child.

Changes at Whitehorse Emergency Shelter to ensure better service

The Government of Yukon together with its community and government partners are making changes to programming and operations at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter with the support of its Safe at Home working group partners. 

A number of significant changes have been implemented at the shelter and several more are in development. These changes will provide better support to facility guests while addressing some of the concerns from the downtown Whitehorse community.

New Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge opens

After two years of construction, the Nares River (Naataase Héen) Bridge replacement is now complete. Minister of Highways and Public Works Richard Mostyn and Carcross/Tagish First Nations’ Deputy Chief Maria Benoit officially opened the bridge today alongside the project teams from the the Carcross/Tagish Development Corporation and Ruskin Construction Ltd and the Government of Yukon today.

Grizzly bear conservation plan released

The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board have released the conservation plan for grizzly bears in Yukon. The plan will help guide decisions related to grizzlies in the territory by ensuring they remain healthy in their habitat and that their population is sustainable.

Goals of the plan include minimizing human-grizzly conflicts and taking care of the land and other species that grizzly bears rely on.

The plan was finalized following government-to-government consultation with First Nations, Inuvialuit and transboundary Indigenous groups.