The Government of Yukon is committed to improving Yukoners’ access to healthcare services, and recruiting and retaining health professionals to ensure Yukoners are able to live healthy, happy lives. Keeping with this commitment, the Government of Yukon has tabled Bill No. 33, an amendment to the Registered Nurses Profession Act, which will cut red tape and make it easier for nurses and nurse practitioners to work in the Yukon. 

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“Today, I was honoured to meet with Chortkiv Mayor Volodymyr Shmatko, chair of the local regional international relations department Marta Hbulish, Dr. Serhii Budenkevych of the Ukrainian Health service and a delegation from the Ukrainian-Canadian Association of the Yukon, marking the official sister city relationship between Whitehorse and Chortkiv.

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and Women and Gender Equality Canada.

The Government of Yukon Women and Gender Equity Directorate and Women and Gender Equality Canada are pleased to announce a historic bilateral agreement. The Government of Canada will be investing close to $16.4 million over four years to support the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence in the Yukon. This contribution will be cost-matched by the Government of Yukon.

Starting October 16, the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine will be available to Yukoners in a phased approach. Both vaccines are strongly recommended and remain the best source of protection during the respiratory illness season. Yukoners are strongly encouraged to receive both vaccines during the same appointment, which is both safe and convenient.

The Government of Yukon has tabled Bill #28, an Act to amend the Environment Act to fully implement an extended producer responsibility system in the Yukon. 

From November 2022 to February 2023, the Government of Yukon heard from Yukoners about how an extended producer responsibility framework should work – including which products to include in the regulation and feedback on technical definitions.

The proposed amendments to the Environment Act will ensure the Government of Yukon has the authority to:

On October 5, 2023, the Government of Yukon introduced the Fiduciaries Access to Digital Assets Act.

This new law will clarify fiduciaries’ access to the digital assets of deceased or incapable individuals, while respecting their privacy and carrying out their final wishes.

At present, the trusts and estates law does not adequately address how fiduciaries may gain access to these digital assets. With no legislative framework, online terms of service agreements may determine the fate of digital assets of a deceased or incapable person.

The proposed Act would:

The Government of Yukon has tabled a bill to amend the Victims of Crime Act to increase protections for victims of crime. The proposed changes help restrict access to victim information that could result in potential harm for the victim.

The Act to Amend the Victims of Crime Act (2023) aims to refuse access to information requests by offenders and alleged offenders that could harm the safety and privacy of victims. Protecting client records shields victims from further risks of intimate partner violence, sexualized violence and domestic homicide.

Next week, from October 8 to 14, marks Fire Prevention Week across North America.

Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity to learn about home fire safety. This year's theme is "Cooking safety starts with YOU! Pay attention to fire prevention.”

Recreation leaders from across the Yukon gathered in Carmacks from October 3 to 5, on the Traditional Territory of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, for the annual Recreation Gathering.

The Recreation Gathering is co-hosted by the Government of Yukon and the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon (RPAY). It creates professional-development and networking opportunities so recreation leaders and volunteers can continue delivering quality programming in Yukon communities.

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement: 

“At a meeting last week with Walter and Sylvia Streit, owners and operators of Whitehorse’s Alpine Bakery, I promised to provide a public update about the efforts that the Government of Yukon is taking to address the situation around 405 Alexander Street in downtown Whitehorse.

“Our government believes in building communities that work for all Yukoners: young families, retirees, First Nations Canadians, immigrants, business owners and patrons and vulnerable populations.