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

"Today marks Wear Red Canada, a day to acknowledge and promote the prevention and detection of heart disease in women.

The Yukon is home to many talented athletes, from those starting their sport careers to those who are competing at the highest levels of competition. Together, the Government of Yukon, Sport Yukon, Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle and Special Olympics Yukon celebrated the territory’s top athletes with an award ceremony on February 12, 2024.

For the Government of Yukon awards, athletes earned the Premier’s Award of Sport Excellence or the Minister’s Award of Sport Recognition for their accomplishments in 2023.

Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Yukon Sustainability Awards! These awards celebrate Yukon businesses dedicated to building a greener economy. They lead by example, integrating sustainable practices into their business models, while also prioritizing First Nations reconciliation and collaboration. The creation of these awards was a commitment I made in Our Clean Future and we were pleased to see how much interest there was in the first year of the campaign.

The public engagement for the review of the Child Care Act has been extended to February 29, 2024, to allow Yukoners more time to respond to the proposed changes to this important legislation.

The engagement period launched on November 27, 2023, and has garnered several hundred responses from parents, early childhood educators, operators of family day homes and early learning and child care centres, First Nations governments, education partners and interested stakeholders.

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

“As Yukon Rendezvous Festival celebrates its 60th year, Yukoners and visitors alike look forward to celebrating Rendezvous from February 9 to 25.

“For 60 years this treasured mid-winter celebration has brightened our days, helping us shake off our cabin fever and say goodbye to our winter blues. From axe throwing to snow carving, craft fairs to hand games, burlesque to masquerade, there is truly something for everyone.

On February 8 and 9, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy paid his first official visit to the Yukon along with Alaska State Commissioner of Fish and Game Douglas Vincent-Lang, Alaska State Commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities Ryan Anderson and Alaska State Commissioner of Natural Resources John Boyle.

The Whitehorse General Hospital is experiencing higher than normal volume and demand. 

The Government of Yukon, Yukon Hospital Corporation and Yukon Medical Association are working collaboratively to help ensure Yukoners continue to have access to care when they need it. 

To mitigate pressures at the hospital, the Department of Health and Social Services is:

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Tomorrow marks the Lunar New Year, one of the most significant celebrations in the lunar calendar.

“Also known as the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year is an opportunity for many members of Asian communities across the world to reunite with family, share festive meals and partake in age-old traditions that bridge generations. The colourful parades, traditional dances and the exchange of red envelopes all contribute to the festive atmosphere that envelops communities during this special time.

The Government of Yukon is continuing to index residential rent increases in 2024 to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Whitehorse. On May 15, 2024, the residential rent index will change from five per cent to 4.9 per cent. Effective this date, the maximum by which landlords will be able to raise rents will be 4.9 per cent, aligned with inflation.

The rent index came into effect under a new Regulation to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) in 2023 as part of the Yukon government’s Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Yukon New Democratic Party.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy Anne-McPhee and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equity Jeanie McLean issued the following statement:

“The Government of Yukon is deeply concerned about a number of policies being enacted by governments across Canada that will have significant impacts on the health and safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ young adults.

“All young people deserve to be who they are and have their identities represented and respected at school. Further, no one should be denied medical care based on their identity.