The Yukon Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting a cause and origin investigation, in coordination with the RCMP, of the November 14 incident in Whitehorse. As a result, Bates Crescent is partially closed – from house numbers 15 to 19 – as of Wednesday, November 22.

Today, the Minister of Environment Nils Clarke tabled the State of the Environment report for 2023 in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The report tracks environmental indicators that show trends in the Yukon’s environment through the lens of climate change, air, water, land and fish and wildlife indicators.

The report includes information as of the end of the 2022 calendar year. This year’s report includes three new indicators, which are avian influenza, biodiversity and groundwater levels in the Yukon Observation Well Network.

The Government of Yukon is listening to local businesses across the territory and is committed to helping them meet their labour needs.

In order to help businesses respond to the labour shortage, the Government of Yukon has successfully advocated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for an increased allocation in 2023 to the Yukon Nominee Program. The Yukon has received an increase of 150 to its 2023 allocations, for a total allocation of 580.

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Yesterday, Canada’s Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered an update on the state of Canada’s finances and economy in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement.

To support Yukoners’ access to affordable housing, the Government of Yukon is now accepting applications for the seventh intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund.

The Housing Initiatives Fund is designed to increase the number of new, quality, affordable units in the territory by providing capital grants to community housing providers, First Nations governments and development corporations, municipalities, and private sector entities and individuals in order to support their efforts to build new affordable housing units across the territory.

Today, Minister of Finance Sandy Silver tabled the 2022–23 Public Accounts in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The Public Accounts report the actual audited financial results for the prior fiscal year and the financial position at the end of that fiscal year.

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada is responsible for verifying that the consolidated financial statements fairly represent its financial results in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.

The Government of Yukon has tabled the 2022 Health Status Report in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. The comprehensive report is issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health every three years and updated annually. This update provides additional information on communicable diseases and immunizations in the Yukon.

Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn has issued the following statement:

“Winter is here. This is an exciting time for Yukoners as we break out the skis, tune up our sleds, and get ready to enjoy the winter’s wonders.

“Winter brings its own dangers and hazards. Whether it’s fire, floods, ice storms or power outages, our government is ready and works closely with our partners to protect the health and safety of all Yukoners.

“Getting ready for winter involves keeping a few simple things in mind.

The winner of the 2023 Robert E. Leckie Award for Excellence in Environmental Stewardship was announced yesterday evening at the 51st Annual Geoscience Forum & Trade Show banquet.

This year’s recipient is Snowline Gold Corporation. The company’s mineral exploration work about 220 kilometres east of Mayo stands as an excellent example of progressive reclamation, cleaning up as you go. In addition, they have made efforts to clean up historic exploration camps on their properties.

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

“Every year on November 20, we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance. On this day, we mourn and remember transgender people whose lives were lost to violence and rededicate our efforts to ensure that transgender, Two-Spirit+, and gender non-conforming people are able to live life to the fullest, without experiencing hate, discrimination, abuse or violence.