The Government of Yukon today tabled legislation to create the Order of Yukon.

The Order of Yukon will allow Yukoners to formally recognize those individuals who have made a significant contribution to the territory and the well-being of others. This includes high achievement from any discipline, such as sports, First Nations governance, environmental stewardship, the arts, heritage and cultural development, business, volunteerism and the support of seniors and youth.

The Government of Yukon has released its first performance plan and progress report outlining the steps it has taken and plans to take to move the territory forward over the next several years.

The performance plan is outcome-focused and builds on the mandate letters presented to each Cabinet minister in early 2017. It also includes an outlook of upcoming initiatives that are poised to create tangible benefits and positive outcomes for Yukoners across the territory.    

Joint news release with First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun

The Government of Yukon and the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun have reached an agreement that may lead to the construction of an all-season tote road by ATAC Resources to their mineral exploration site north of Mayo. The agreement came into force upon issuance of the joint Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board decision document for the project.

The Government of Yukon is using all 10 of its one-million-dollar exceptions under the trade agreements signed last year to bolster regional economic development.

Yukon is the first jurisdiction in the country to use this provision.

Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, Yukon is one of eight jurisdictions in Canada that can use methods outside the procurement rules in that agreement for a limited number of procurements. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement provides a similar exception for regional economic development.

Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver delivered the 2018–19 budget today in the Legislative Assembly.  The budget builds capacity and plans for a prosperous future for all Yukoners while putting the government’s finances on a more sustainable path.

I am pleased to see the federal government continue with its commitment to northern communities. Recognizing the unique challenges we face helps unify the North, brings more benefits to Yukon and strengthens Canada as a whole.

The federal budget includes a commitment to renew Territorial Formula Financing (TFF) beginning April, 1 2019. We were happy that the federal government listened to our concerns and included an additional $1.3 million annually for transition payments to Yukon.

Minister of Community Services John Streicker announced today that he will ask the Employment Standards Board to conduct a review of Yukon’s minimum wage. 

The review will follow recent increases and announced increases to the minimum wage in other Canadian jurisdictions that will see Yukon’s minimum wage drop to 7th place in Canada by May 2018. 

The Government of Yukon is pleased to introduce Yukon’s Action Plan for over $7 million in early learning and child care funding. This funding stems from the new Early Learning and Child Care agreement with the Government of Canada, signed February 7. 

Minister of Justice Tracy-Anne McPhee has extended the period for David Loukidelis to conduct the independent inspection of the Whitehorse Correctional Centre (WCC). 

Mr. Loukidelis now has until May 15 to provide his final inspection report along with any recommendations to the Government of Yukon. The scope of the inspection outlined in the Terms of Reference remains unchanged. 

Minister of Community Services John Streicker, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) Dän nätthe äda Steve Smith and Haines Junction Mayor Michael Riseborough today released the following statements about discussions regarding possible changes to the municipal boundaries of Haines Junction: