Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee issued the following statement:

“The Department of Health and Social Services is aware of an allegation of sexual assault involving a staff member of a contracted non-governmental organization (NGO) and that the matter is under investigation by the Yukon RCMP.

The Government of Yukon has issued a special warrant to ensure government programs and functions are able to continue while the third supplementary estimates for the 2022–23 fiscal year are debated during the fall legislative sitting.

The special warrant provides budgetary authorization for up to $15.3 million in additional government spending for the 2022–23 fiscal year – the fiscal year in which retroactive payments were earned by Yukon Employees’ Union members. The entirety of this amount relates to these payments.

The Government of Yukon and the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia have partnered to launch the First Link® Yukon Dementia Helpline to support Yukoners on their journey with dementia. This service is available to Yukoners across the territory as part of comprehensive support for seniors and caregivers in response to recommendations from the Putting People First report and the Aging in Place action plan.

Premier Ranj Pillai, Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn and the Yukon Wildland Fire Management branch have issued the following statement:

“The Government of Yukon and Wildland Fire Management send our deepest condolences to British Columbia today after the deaths of four wildland firefighters in a vehicle accident near Cache Creek, BC.

This news release has been edited for accuracy. 

Premier Ranj Pillai and a Yukon business delegation have completed their Asia mission and are on their way back to Canada.

Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker has issued the following statement:

“Each year, National Forest Week (NFW) is celebrated across Canada to educate, raise awareness and foster connection to our rich and vital forest ecosystems.

“Across the Yukon, we have over 28 million hectares of forests that play a vital role in our ecological, cultural, social and economic welfare.

This news release has been updated to correct the number of days before a charge will apply to late materials. 

Yukon public library users have more reason to celebrate as Libraries Month approaches: Yukon libraries will no longer be charging late fees.

Yukon Public Libraries are joining libraries across North America in removing barriers by eliminating overdue fines and outstanding balances for late returns so users feel comfortable accessing library resources and services.

Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker has issued the following statement:

“The Government of Yukon wishes to congratulate the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in on the inscription of Tr'ondëk-Klondike to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Today is the start of Ganesh Chaturthi, an important annual Hindu festival.

“Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day celebration of the birth of the Hindu god Ganesh. Known as the remover of obstacles and the guardian of esoteric knowledge, Ganesh is celebrated with a variety of rituals, including creating idols of Ganesh out of clay and decorating them with flowers. At the end of the 10 days, the idols are carried to a river and immersed in the water to symbolise Ganesh’s return to the sacred Mount Kailash.

On September 16, the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon and the Village of Carmacks celebrated the opening of the new Carmacks firehall. The celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours, demonstrations and a community barbecue.

The new, modern firehall features fire apparatus bays, which are designated areas within a fire station where firefighting vehicles and equipment are stored and maintained, as well as Emergency Medical Services space, a training room, a business centre and support spaces.