Premier Pillai honours exceptional public service

Individuals

Adam Labar

director and chief information officer, Health and Social Services

Adam’s journey with the Department of Health and Social Services began over 26 years ago as a dietary aide at Macaulay Lodge. Driven by a passion for information technology, he advanced through further education to become director and chief information officer. In January 2023, Adam took on three critical roles simultaneously, leading the stabilization of the Meditech Expanse electronic medical records system. He successfully completed the update with over 40,000 changes, ensuring the system was tailored to the Yukon’s needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Adam’s foresight in securing essential electronic equipment was crucial. His actions enabled the department to continue delivering vital health care services, including equipping vaccination clinics and travel teams. In 2023, Adam established Project Management Services, enhancing communication and success in health care IT projects. This initiative led to the creation of an online booking system for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, upgrades to the client registry service and improvements to the Find a Family Doctor application. Adam’s vision and leadership have fostered collaboration across government departments, private sector partners and multiple vendors, resulting in successful project outcomes that benefit the entire community.

Danielle d'Entremont

2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion coordinator, Women and Gender Equity Directorate

Danielle has been a pivotal force in advancing the LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan. In August 2023, they played a key role in updating the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Policy to better protect queer and trans youth, aligning with Yukon's commitment to inclusiveness. Danielle was also instrumental in recognizing Two-Spirit Day and supporting commitments for Two-Spirit and Indigenous queer people under the Yukon's MMIWG2S+ Strategy. They actively participate in Pride celebrations across the Yukon and work directly with community members to connect them with essential services, health care providers and mental health support. Danielle's unwavering commitment to fostering 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion has earned them national recognition. They will be honoured by Pride at Work Canada for their significant contributions to creating inclusive workplaces. This prestigious recognition underscores the profound impact of Danielle's efforts in advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion in the Yukon, inspiring others to follow their lead.

Joanne Green

manager, Justice

Joanne has transformed the Justice Wellness Centre from a small, four-person operation in Whitehorse into a vibrant nine-person team with active partnerships in Watson Lake, Dawson and Old Crow. Her visionary leadership has introduced culturally led and culturally responsive programming, aligning with the Government of Yukon's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's recommendations. Joanne’s relentless efforts in securing funding and hiring a diverse staff have significantly enhanced the centre’s ability to meet client needs and improve service delivery. Under her guidance, the centre has expanded to include clinical counsellors, an Indigenous peer support worker, a policy and program analyst and a community development advisor. Her adeptness at maintaining partnerships and sharing resources with other Justice branches and First Nation justice programs ensures that clients' cultural and other needs are met effectively. Joanne’s innovative approach has not only increased community access to therapeutic court support, but also made the Justice Wellness Centre a model for others.

Sheryl-Ann Wasson

director, Health and Social Services

Sheryl-Ann has dedicated 29 remarkable years to the Government of Yukon, beginning her journey as a nurse in Continuing Care and now serving as the director of Quality and Safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheryl-Ann led Continuing Care through a crucial accreditation process with Accreditation Canada. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she ensured the engagement of all organizational members, community stakeholders, clients, residents and families. Her leadership was instrumental in evaluating resource utilization, enhancing efficiency and raising quality and safety standards. Sheryl-Ann’s resilience and creativity were particularly notable, as she successfully guided over 800 staff members through the accreditation process amidst unprecedented circumstances. Sheryl-Ann also secured funding to purchase tablets for long-term care residents, facilitating virtual communication with loved ones during the pandemic. This initiative was vital in maintaining social connections and promoting mental health and wellbeing for residents.

Teams

Community Outreach Services

Health and Social Services: Kim Derkatch, Britteny Guindon, Carly Rudolph, Torey Hampson, Annie Clark, Chris (Howie) Howard, Joe Zucchiatti, Deserine Grimes

Supporting some of the Yukon’s most vulnerable individuals, this team consists of a community liaison coordinator, social workers and outreach workers. They address complex needs such as housing instability, substance use and mental health challenges through intensive case management and outreach, meeting clients where they are and empowering them to achieve their goals. Since 2017, the team has excelled in securing housing, advocating for clients and breaking down systemic barriers to essential services. Their strong partnerships with non-governmental organizations and community agencies enhance their ability to provide comprehensive support, especially during critical transitions from correctional facilities or treatment services. The Community Outreach Services team’s quick mobilization during emergencies, such as housing closures and wildfire evacuations, demonstrates their deep community resource knowledge and effective collaboration. The addition of a library outreach worker has expanded their impact, addressing substance use issues and supporting individuals at the Whitehorse Public Library.

Yukon: It's a Little Bit Metal Campaign Team

Tourism and Culture: Emilie Joslin, Annie-Claude Dupuis, Jason Marcotte, Alicia Debreceni

In fiscal year 2023–24, the Department of Tourism and Culture launched the Yukon: It's a Little Bit Metal campaign, aiming to promote the Yukon as a year-round tourism destination. Developed over 15 months, the campaign creatively played on the pop culture phrase "being metal", showcasing the Yukon's rugged winter experiences in an inviting manner. Despite facing extreme weather during filming, the team quickly pivoted locations, embodying the resilient spirit of the Yukon. The campaign successfully promoted winter activities, earning over 487,269 views on YouTube and featuring during the Juno Awards. It exemplified outstanding collaboration, involving marketing agencies and Yukon-based producers, and prioritizing diversity and inclusiveness. The inclusion of local musicians, whose excitement and pride in representing their home brought an authentic touch to the campaign. Extensive stakeholder outreach ensured comprehensive awareness and support. The campaign received positive feedback and won a Bronze Clio Award for Audiocraft, marking the Yukon's first-ever Clio Award. It creatively set the Yukon apart from other destinations. With strong support from industry stakeholders, the campaign will relaunch in the fall of 2024, continuing to position the Yukon as an adventurous winter destination.

Ukrainian Support Team

Economic Development: Ann Bowen, Jesse Weng, Carolynn Phelps, Shelly Jeffrey, Charlene Xie, Shirley Ng, Beth Fricke

This team provided vital support and resources for those transiting through or relocating to the Yukon. Their work included offering information on federal immigration programs, settlement services and humanitarian aid, as well as connecting employers with job seekers. From the onset, the team demonstrated remarkable agility by swiftly responding to the arrival of Ukrainians at Erik Nielsen International Airport. They arranged translation services, accommodations, transportation and food vouchers, overcoming challenges, such as unpredictable arrival numbers and language barriers, through innovative communication methods. Their initiative began when Canadian Air Transport Security Authority officers observed Ukrainians using Whitehorse as a transit hub, prompting the Immigration Branch to organize immediate support. Throughout 2022 and 2023, the team expanded their services, prioritizing applications for the Yukon Nominee Program.

Yukon Parks Reservation System Project Team

Environment: Carrie Mierau, Pamela Brown, Karissa Goudie, Gustavo Ibarra, Brian Johnston, Jake Wilson, Scott Cameron, Francois Lefevre, Daniel Ashley, Lolita Hughes, Nate Clark, Mike Laluk, Beverly Mitchell

Highways and Public Works: Reuben Mitchell, Samantha Mashoro, Lee Omara, Sara Bergquist, Jennifer Hackwell, Terri McLeod

French Language Services Directorate: Erick Leblanc, Lila Power

The Yukon Parks Strategy was born from a vision shared by First Nations, the public and stakeholders about the future of Yukon Parks. A key concern was the difficulty in securing campsites during summer, leading to a call for a new reservation system. The Yukon government committed to this as part of Objective 4.5 of the Yukon Parks Strategy. Creating the Yukon Parks campground reservation system was a significant effort. Experts from different departments spent over three years designing a system that met technological and operational needs. This project marked a cultural shift in campground management, requiring innovative solutions for challenges like low connectivity and the Yukon's remote parks. The team worked tirelessly with internal and external clients to develop a user-friendly system for four of the most popular campgrounds. Launched on April 10, 2024, the system has recorded 2,416 bookings for the season as of July 15. To date, there have been 4,079 campsite nights occupied. The team’s exceptional service has enriched park visitors' experiences by ensuring a reliable and positive reservation process. They introduced real-time campsite availability management and a Visitor Services Operator program, where local contractors provide on-ground support and education, addressing the challenge of adequate support across the Yukon's dispersed park network.