The Government of Yukon values the work of the Yukon public service and is pleased to announce a new collective agreement in place with the Yukon Employees’ Union. The three-year agreement contains several updates and new provisions to benefit employees – including wage increases of 10.5 per cent over three years for members, in line with the recently negotiated agreement for federal public servants.

Minister of Environment Nils Clarke has issued the following statement:

“Today marks World Environment Day and the Yukon joins Canada and the global community to celebrate the natural environment and to highlight our continued collaborative efforts to protect the environment for future generations.

“This year’s World Environment Day theme is finding solutions to plastic pollution. It is estimated that up to 23 million tonnes of plastic ends up in lakes, rivers and seas around the world each year, affecting more than 800 species.

As the Yukon marks its 125th year since joining Confederation, the Government of Yukon’s longstanding Yukon Gold Explorer’s Passport contest has gone digital for 2023.

Highlighting the many cultural centres, museums and other attractions throughout the Yukon, participants are encouraged to visit any (or all!) of the 38 featured sites and take a photo of the contest poster on display at each location.

Tomorrow marks the four-year anniversary of the release of Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“On Canadian Armed Forces Day, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many members and veterans of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Canadian Air Force who protect and defend Canadian security and values at home and around the world.  

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

The Government of Yukon is committed to making life more affordable for parents and families, now and in the long term. To help address inflation and the costs associated with raising children, the rate of the Yukon Child Benefit will increase by 6.8 per cent on July 1, 2023. Future annual increases will match the Whitehorse Consumer Price Index to ensure that the benefit keeps pace with the rising cost of living.

Premier Ranj Pillai has appointed Lauren Haney as the deputy minister for the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources.

Samantha Paterson has been acting deputy minister pending a permanent appointment and will return to her role as assistant deputy minister for corporate services with the department.

This appointment is effective June 5.

Premier Ranj Pillai has released the following statement:

“I am delighted to extend my warmest wishes to the Filipino community in the Yukon as we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month.

“Filipinos are the largest immigrant group in the Yukon, making up about 21 per cent of the Yukon’s immigrant population. Filipino Heritage Month offers an excellent opportunity to honour Filipino culture, traditions and values that add to the diversity of the territory.

Premier Ranj Pillai and Deputy Premier Jeanie McLean issued the following statement:  

“As we enter the month of June, the Government of Yukon would like to recognize and honour National Indigenous History Month. This is an important opportunity to reflect upon the rich and diverse heritage of Indigenous Peoples here in the Yukon and across Canada.