The Smoke-Free Places Act was last modified 10 years ago before the rise in popularity of vaping. We want to hear from Yukoners about how vaping and vapour products should be regulated in the territory. Additionally, we are interested in your feedback about raising the minimum legal age to access tobacco and vapour products. An updated Act will reflect best practices, meet modern-day realities and future needs. 

We are looking for input to help determine the funding program structure that best supports departmental clients and assists in the development of the Yukon economy.

We are seeking comments on potential improvements to the following three funding programs, which includes a proposal to combine them into a single funding program to support a broader range of economic development activities in Yukon: Regional Economic Development Fund; Strategic Industries Development Fund; and Enterprise Trade Fund.

Regional Economic Development Fund (2018/19 Budget: $800,000)

• Provides funding to facilitate organizational capacity development and facilitate regional economic development planning.
• The fund is open to municipal and First Nations governments, Yukon First Nation development corporations, community associations, local governing bodies, area advisory committees, and Yukon businesses and business-related organizations whether for profit or not for profit.

Strategic Industries Development Fund (2018/19 Budget: $800,000)

• Provides funding to identify, pursue and facilitate the development of strategic industries, projects, and economic infrastructure; facilitate maximization of secondary benefits from strategic projects; and increase awareness of and investment in strategic industries and strategic projects.
• The fund is open to businesses registered in Yukon and carrying out business activity in Yukon, Yukon First Nation development agencies structured as a corporation or a trust, and for profit or not-for-profit business-related organizations. Not-for-profits must be registered under the Societies Act and in good standing, or created under another legislated authority.

Enterprise Trade Fund (2018/19 Budget: $360,000)

• Provides funding to open up new markets or significantly expand existing markets, particularly export markets; and support the development of Yukon businesses.
• The fund is open to Yukon businesses and business-related organizations either for profit or not for profit.

Improvements to the funding programs should:

• expand the range of projects funded;
• improve the flexibility of the funding program criteria;
• improve the flexibility in applicant eligibility;
• support emerging opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship;
• support economic diversification;
• respond to evolving economic conditions;
• respond to current government priorities and mandate; and
• consolidate departmental funding decisions within one, equitable policy framework.

The Community Development Fund will not be affected and is not part of this engagement.

There is no intent at this point in time to request an increase to the overall budget for these programs.

Funding program improvements would be developed under the following guiding principles:

• Flexible project parameters;
• Equitable eligibility;
• Efficient intakes and processing; and
• Transparent processes.

Yukon College is in the process of transitioning to Yukon University. To support this transition, university legislation is required and the Government of Yukon is developing the legislation to oversee and guide the activities of Yukon University.

In Canada, it is the responsibility of the province or territory to oversee post-secondary institutions. In Yukon, the Government of Yukon oversees Yukon College through the Yukon College Act. However, to ensure Yukon University meets the requirements of a university, new legislation is needed that will provide a framework that defines a university in Yukon. 

To ensure Yukon University continues to meet the diverse education needs of Yukon citizens, the Government of Yukon is asking the public, partners and Yukon First Nations for feedback on key aspects of the legislation, including:

• university mandate;
• government oversight and university autonomy;
• university accountability;
• university governance; and
• program delivery in Yukon communities

Learn more about some key terms to be aware of as you fill out the online survey.

Planning for a healthy forest in the Whitehorse and Southern Lakes area includes you.

We want to know if the plan meets the needs of the people in the Whitehorse and Southern Lakes area.

After years of collaborative effort, we have a plan for the Whitehorse and Southern Lakes area that will provide a balanced approach for the management and use of forests in the area.

The recommended Whitehorse and Southern Lakes Forest Resources Management Plan:

• identifies values and interests related to the area’s forests; and
• provides a balanced approach for the management and use of these forests.

The recommended plan guides:

• how and where forest harvesting may occur;
• how forestry will contribute to the local economy;
• addressing the risk of forest fires in the area.

The recommended plan considers key values and concerns including:

• fish and wildlife habitat;
• forest health;
• climate change; and
• existing development.

The recommended plan was prepared by a committee with representatives from:

• Kwanlin Dün First Nation;
• Ta’an Kwäch’än Council;
• Carcross/Tagish First Nation; and
• the Government of Yukon.

The committee developed the plan using information gathered from open houses and workshops with:

• the public;
• interest groups; and
• industry.

Through this engagement, we want to:

• inform the public about the contents of the recommended plan; and
• gather feedback on the recommended plan.

We want to give Hillcrest and Whitehorse residents a voice in shaping the functionality of the Alaska Highway that runs through their community. 

We are promising:

• To seek your views.
• To make it easy for you to talk to us and get involved.
• To use communication tools suited to the scale of decision we’re making.
• To explain our decisions.
• To foster and respect relationships with citizens, groups and communities, First Nations, municipalities and other governments.
• To consider local solutions to problems.

More information, including project updates, can be found on our project website. 

The Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) on behalf of the Government of Yukon is conducting a public engagement about modernizing the Workers’ Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The Government of Yukon sought direction on how Yukon’s Wills Act should be updated. The Wills Act has not been amended since it came into force in 1954. A review of the Act revealed that there are some provisions that should be updated to reflect the needs of modern society and to keep pace with changes to legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions.

Based on the review we are considering the following amendments:

• revise the formal requirements of wills to align with legislation in other Canadian jurisdictions;
• add provisions related to common law spouses, divorce, and separation;
• enable courts to correct errors and save failed gifts when there is sufficient evidence that doing so would follow the testator’s intentions;
• continue to accept holograph (handwritten) wills; and
• enable a registry of wills to be created.

After two years of work with the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, local residents and stakeholders including the Alsek Renewable Resources Council and the Yukon Wood Products Association, we have a draft timber harvest plan for the Quill Creek area.  

We asked Yukoners:

• if the draft timber harvest plan for the Quill Creek area meets the needs of the people in the Kluane region; and 
• if you feel the plan provides a balanced approach for the management and use of forests in the area.

The Quill Creek Draft Timber Harvest Plan

• identifies values and interests related to the forests in the Quill Creek area; and
• provides a balanced approach for the management and use of these forests.

The recommended plan guides:

• how and where forest harvesting may occur;
• how forestry will contribute to the local economy; and
• addressing the risk of forest fires in the area.

The draft plan considers key values and concerns including:

• fish and wildlife habitat;
• forest health; and
• existing development.

The draft timber harvest plan was prepared by Yukon Wood Products Association with input provided by:

• Champagne and Aishihik First Nations;
• Alsek Renewable Resources Council; and
• the Government of Yukon.

Through this engagement we want to inform the public about the contents of the draft plan and gather feedback on the recommended plan.

The Government of Yukon has developed Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy in collaboration with Yukon First Nations, transboundary Indigenous groups and Yukon municipalities.

The strategy sets out a collective vision and identifies the actions the Government of Yukon will take over the next 10 years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, adapt to the impacts of climate change and build a green economy.

The purpose of this engagement was to hear thought about our proposed targets and actions, and how we could improve the strategy.

The Government of Yukon is developing a 10-year plan to guide future investments in the Yukon aviation system. This strategy will propose strategic investments to maintain safety, meet national aviation regulations and enhance the future system. All investments will be considered for their social, economic and environmental impact.

Yukon’s airports, aerodromes and airstrips are vital to life north of 60. Aviation brings friends and family together, supports Yukon businesses, enables the delivery of vital emergency services and connects Yukon communities.

We need to understand your expectations and future needs for the Yukon aviation system.

The Yukon’s aviation system comprises 28 airports, aerodromes and airstrips, along with all related infrastructure and services. 

• An airport has regularly scheduled flights and supports a variety of public services, such as medevac, wildland fire management and policing services. 
• An aerodrome does not have regularly scheduled flights but does support a variety of public services. 
• An airstrip is a runway maintained for takeoff and landing of aircraft with no other permanent infrastructure at the site. 

Download a map of Yukon’s aviation system.