Outstanding service recognized by Premier Pillai

Individuals 

Helen Fitzsimmons

Helen has been working for the Yukon government for over 45 years and has always provided the best service to her employer. She has been the main constant whenever there is a change in political leadership or of a political party. She helps everyone deal with the changes and keeps the workflow going. She seems to be able to maintain a very happy attitude and smiles through the heavy and demanding workload. Helen has provided high-quality service that is accessible and reliable to the Legislative Assembly Office through independent, non-partisan advice and services. She enables the Members of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, caucus staff and the Assembly’s House Officers, Ombudsman, Child and Youth Advocate and Conflict of Interest Commissioner to carry out their constitutional and legislative responsibilities. She maintains confidentiality and stays non-biased with each political party and balances the needs of all stakeholders at all levels.

Ian Yap

Ian is the legal “guru” in procurement. He has outstanding knowledge in procurement and contracting, which can be very complex on large capital projects that the Yukon government delivers. He has supported the Whistle Bend Continuing Care Facility, the Dempster Fibre Project, the ENWIA Parallel and Main Runway projects, the Carmacks arena, the Nisutlin Bay bridge and the Yukon First Nations Procurement Policy. As a part of his role over the last 10 years, he always looks for creative ways to resolve contracting issues in the public interest. He is open and inquisitive and works with clients with skill. He listens with patience and articulates back what he has heard and creates a space to discuss options. Ian is an unflappable, creative problem solver. You never leave a discussion about an issue with Ian without a set of options for moving forward, often with substantive written content from him. Ian has an abundance of patience and kindness rooted in a great sense of humour. When issues come up in the broad and complicated world of procurement and contracting across the Yukon government, the common response is, “You better check with Ian.”

Robert Legare

During the unprecedented Haines Junction bark beetle infestations, Rob championed the need to develop a territorial forest health monitoring and reporting process. He collaborated with colleagues from across Canadian jurisdictions including the Canadian Forest Service Forest Entomology experts to develop a Yukon Forest Health Program and subsequent Forest Health Reports. This is Rob’s crown jewel of his 20+ years of work and the envy of many provincial jurisdictions. Through his work, the understanding of forest insects and diseases has increased across the Yukon, including damaging effects but also benefits to forest ecosystems. This information not only helps assess population trends but is also valuable information for tracking the impacts of climate change on Yukon’s forests. Rob, as part of his position, has also worked with communities to solve local wood supply issues. His approach is inclusive and pragmatic. Rob uses his “get er’ done” attitude to build support for projects with Renewable Resources Councils, clients, land stewards and First Nations governments.

Tricia Johnson-Drapeau

In a very short period of time, Tricia established the Indigenous Training Program (ITP) to improve hiring of young Indigenous employees. Using the program funding outline as a basis, she created the ITP structure, schedule, orientations and evaluations from scratch. This program hired two students from the Individual Learning Centre (ILC) this winter for a six-month work placement with the Department of Highways and Public Works. Tricia reached out to the ILC about the opportunity, provided an information session at the school explaining the hiring process, she interviewed students and hired two Yukon First Nations students who are planning to graduate in June 2023. Tricia’s commitment to supporting students who are transitioning from high school to the workplace in a safe, comfortable and non-intimidating fashion has been exceptional. The staff at the ILC have seen tremendous growth with the two students who were hired as many of the skills they gained are transferable to their schooling and other parts of their lives. Tricia has had excellent communication with the school and the students appreciate the opportunity and feel supported in the workplace. Programs and opportunities such as the ITP help to build positive leaders who see themselves as belonging within the Yukon government workplace. This pilot has been so successful, the Yukon government is adding additional trainee placements within HPW for the next three years and have a green light to carry on with expansion!

Teams 

Arctic Arts Summit Coordination Team

The Arctic Arts Summit Coordination Team has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement by the Department of Tourism and Culture for completing a large-scale, high-profile event with exceptional cross-boundary collaboration. The team was instrumental in advocating for Canada to host the third Arctic Arts Summit in the Yukon. The event was postponed due to COVID-19, but the team facilitated agreements with the Canada Council for the Arts and the Yukon Arts Centre to host the event in 2022. Over 310 artists, cultural leaders, policymakers and participants from across the Arctic attended the successful summit, focusing on Indigenous and youth cooperation and new partnerships, including support for emerging Indigenous artists. Amid a global pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the team handled logistics and communication strategies and developed an international digital platform to involve broader audiences, providing a valuable archive for future summits.

Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre Team

The Centre de Santé Constellation Health Centre Team has been praised for its exceptional service, receiving numerous unsolicited positive client feedback through various channels. The team has provided comprehensive care and has significantly improved public access to health services. They prioritize accepting patients with no primary care provider, priority populations including the French-speaking population, First Nations, Métis or Inuit, children under nine, and individuals with persistent health needs. The clinic has already admitted over 500 new clients in its first five months of operation, exceeding the initial target of 150 in three months. The clinic has implemented innovative strategies to efficiently meet client demands and improve processes despite space limitations. This includes new scheduling strategies, a more efficient intake pathway, and partnering with the French Language Services Directorate and other community partners to provide bilingual services.

Tséi Zhéłe / Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad Management Plan Team

Tséi Zhéłe / Sinwaa Éex’i Yé / Conrad site, a traditional harvesting location for the Tlingit and Tagish peoples on Windy Arm, has been recognized for its cultural importance. The site is now central to a long-range management plan created through extensive engagement with community leaders, elders, and the public. The finalized plan, signed in July 2022 by Carcross Tagish First Nation (CTFN) and the Yukon government, maintains conservation, ensures community involvement, carries forward the site’s rich history, and delivers on a land claim commitment under the CTFN Final Agreement. This collaborative project integrated the heritage values of Tagish and Tlingit nations, as well as the more recent mining settlement history. There were also diverse values and interests to consider in the planning, such as recreation, fishing, boating, historic structures, and ecology. Ultimately the management plan and associated collaboration advanced reconciliation and transformed understandings of culture and heritage.

Integrated Restorative Justice Unit

The Integrated Restorative Justice Unit is a pioneering project co-developed by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Social Services. It has implemented restorative justice processes, supporting First Nations in creating community-led programs aimed at crime prevention, community safety, and restorative justice. The unit uses an approach that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed, and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime. Nationally recognized for its innovative methods, the unit has launched the first adult-approved program of Alternative Measures in the territory, created the Distracted Drivers program, and actively worked towards reconciliation. The unit has successfully met government mandates, contributing to the goals of the Yukon government and First Nations, and prioritizing restorative justice. It provides exceptional service to Yukoners through innovative programs and has established meaningful partnerships to advance its mission. The unit’s creative approach to meeting client needs has led to multiple restorative justice innovations.

Mail Services Team

The small yet impactful Mail Service team, recognized by their hi-vis vests and the constant hustle from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, has been providing outstanding public service by ensuring timely mail delivery to the public and various government departments. They handle over three million pieces of mail annually, under any weather conditions, thus facilitating critical communication across Whitehorse. Their high-quality service, characterized by efficiency, attention to detail, and excellent communication, has drawn appreciation from various sectors and positively impacted the lives of many Yukoners. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, they adapted swiftly to curbside collections, adjusted schedules, and extra safety measures. This adaptability was evident when they reviewed their routes and reorganized for fewer daily deliveries while maintaining service quality, leading to a 30% reduction in fuel usage. Committed to sustainability, they’re also piloting automatic vehicle location devices and soon, a fully electric battery van for highway runs. They are not just a core government support service, but a team that supports Yukoners too.

New Revenue-neutral Mining Business Carbon Rebate Team 

This team from the Department of Finance’s Fiscal Policy division are nominated due to their extraordinary efforts in creating Bill 21, the Carbon Price Rebate Amendments Act (2022). This highly technical bill replaced the existing carbon rebate for mines with a carbon business rebate for mines. The distinction between the previous and current rebates is not important for the nomination, rather it was an extraordinary effort to accomplish such a complicated exercise in an extremely compressed period. The team had to quickly develop alternative scenarios, seek approval from Environment and Climate Change Canada, negotiate with Canada Revenue Agency, simulate tax returns for all mining companies in Yukon, prepare legislation, and provide session support. The swift transition to the implementation phase post-bill passage was notable. Such an accomplishment in a short time is a testament to the team’s skill and dedication, particularly considering the high-profile nature of carbon pricing and the significant amount of money involved.

Neurodiversity Culture & Programming at Hidden Valley Elementary School Team 

The Hidden Valley Elementary School’s inclusive neurodiversity program significantly contributes to the success of the Yukon education system’s goals. Providing exceptional service to neurodiverse students, the program has fostered individual growth and development, aiding in intellectual, physical, social, emotional, cultural, and aesthetic competencies. Learners who previously struggled have achieved curriculum goals, showing improvement in communication, empathy, and academic capabilities. Moreover, this innovative program has improved access to public educational services, making them more accessible and reliable for neurodiverse students. With individualized planning, direct instruction, and ongoing assessments, learners have more control and engagement in their educational journey. The program was built on creativity and innovation, responding to the unique needs of neurodiverse learners. Demonstrating significant improvements in learning outcomes, this program is an effective method of inclusion and equity, serving as a model for replication in other Yukon schools.

Eagle River Bridge Incident Response Team

On Saturday, September 3, 2022, a vehicle collided with Eagle River Bridge on the Dempster Highway, just north of Eagle Plains. The damage was significant, and the Eagle River Bridge is one of the most remote locations in our highway network. The steps the team took to communicate with the public, engage the specialized engineering expertise required, develop a safe solution and mobilize a contractor to repair the bridge were expedient and implemented in very challenging circumstances. The team made sure to take extra steps to ensure that stranded travelers were kept well-informed and supported while the bridge repairs were underway. The team worked very long days under difficult circumstances and had the bridge re-opened seven days after the accident. Given the extent of the damage and the location, this was a remarkable achievement. Emergency events like this highlight the remote nature of our communities and highways, and the fact that often there is only one road to access a community, and thanks to this amazing team and their dedication our roads and bridges continue to stay safe and open.  

Learning Network Leaders and Facilitators Team

Having navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and into the current recovery period, educators noticed several complex challenges: lack of student engagement, teacher morale and burnout, poor student attendance, learning gaps in the “COVID cohort”, classroom management and discipline issues. Despite these challenges, this team of educators stepped forward to transform how educators learn and lead as teams within their school and community. Teachers were able to demonstrate their learning by implementing the practices into their day-to-day work in schools. Learning Network facilitators and leaders provided an enriched learning experience for teachers to explore, be creative and innovative while keeping students at the center.

Rugged Apprentice 2022 – Voluntourism Pilot Project Team 

In September last year, 33 volunteers from across Canada came to the Yukon to work on a tourism-related infrastructure project. This was part of a pilot program organized and funded by the Department of Tourism and Culture called the “Rugged Apprentices” program. This program offered volunteers a unique opportunity to experience the Yukon, while also fostering and promoting destination development and cultural exchanges through infrastructure improvement projects in Carmacks, Dawson City and Watson Lake. In Dawson City, volunteers helped maintain the Crocus Bluff Disc Golf course by clearing brush and laying gravel on the paths. In Carmacks, Merv Tew Park was enhanced with new picnic tables, benches, flowers and trees and a raised memorial scattering garden was installed at the Nordenskiold Cemetery. In Watson Lake, volunteers beautified the Signpost Forest by clearing paths and adding wooden posts for new signs. All three projects were developed by community representatives, which included Dawson City Parks and Recreation, the Klondike Visitors’ Association, the Village of Carmacks Parks and Recreation and the Town of Watson Lake. This was an innovative idea initiated by this team which grew into an overwhelming success. The program will run this summer with five participating communities to create community projects while benefiting new and exciting forms of tourism.