Premier Ranj Pillai has issued the following statement:

“On the third Monday of August each year, Discovery Day commemorates the discovery of gold at Bonanza Creek near Dawson City and offers us an opportunity to learn more about the Yukon’s unique history.

“Discovery Day is an important milestone for the Yukon. It marked the start of the Klondike Gold Rush, led to the formation of our territory and had significant impacts on the traditional territories and ways of life of Yukon First Nations.

The Government of Yukon is committed to supporting the wellbeing of students, educators, support staff, families and caregivers throughout the upcoming school year, promoting a lifelong learning journey for all Yukoners that strengthens the entire territory.

As part of this, the Ready-to-Learn (R2L) Schools initiative will be introduced at eight additional schools in the coming academic year. This initiative supports the Government of Yukon’s commitment to fostering safe, inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments for all Yukon students.

The Government of Yukon is committed to ensuring that students and staff in all Yukon schools feel safe, respected and included.

As part of this commitment, the Government of Yukon has updated the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Policy. These changes align with the actions outlined in the Yukon’s LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan and mark a milestone in promoting inclusivity in Yukon schools.

The strengthened policy focuses on:

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

“As construction begins on a new seasonal accommodation venture in Dawson City, I wish to congratulate the Klondike Visitors Association for their vision and determination in helping address the Yukon’s labour shortage.

“Housing pressures are a contributing factor in Yukon businesses finding and retaining skilled workers, and the ‘Village off King’ is an innovative and meaningful way to help ease those challenges.

Premier Ranj Pilllai and Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn have issued the following statement:

“Last week, Minister Mostyn and I met with Brigadier-General Dan Rivière, Commander of the Joint Task Force North, to discuss communications, Canadian Armed Forces training exercises, collaboration on emergency management and Arctic security.

The Government of Yukon has made significant progress in the recruitment of education professionals in advance of the 2023–24 school year. The Yukon government works in partnership with Yukon First Nations and school boards to staff Yukon schools. Where there are educator vacancies, schools – with support from their leadership teams – follow established strategies to ensure students' learning needs are met.

The Government of Yukon has unveiled the “Support is Here for You” Backpack Project, a new initiative intended to provide personal care items for direct assistance and community support to individuals experiencing substance use issues.

This project is part of the Government of Yukon’s commitment to respond to the Substance Use Health Emergency by taking bold and innovative actions, including prevention, harm reduction efforts and collaborative programming with partner organizations.

This is a joint news release with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Canada.

The Government of Yukon is extending the waiving of tipping fees until September 3 for brush, trees and clean wood brought to the Deep Creek, Marsh Lake, Mount Lorne, Tagish and Carcross solid waste facilities during normal business hours.

Windstorms in late July created issues with windblown debris. The tipping-fee-holiday extension is meant to provide area residents with additional time to clean up downed trees and encourage disposal of brush piles that could otherwise increase wildland-fire risks.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee and Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn issued the following statement regarding the Vuntut Gwitchin Government’s evacuation order for Old Crow:

“The Government of Yukon is supporting the Vuntut Gwitchin Government’s evacuation order for Old Crow. This order is due to forecasted weather and potential wildfire activity.