Local News

Whitehorse city council approved a $1.5 Million budget increase for the replacement of a lift station on Range Road. (File Photo)

Whitehorse council approves increased budget for lift station replacement

Few bids received. Project comes in over budget.

Whitehorse city council approved a $1.5 Million budget increase for the replacement of a lift station on Range Road. (File Photo)
A poster seen May 25 outside the Yukon legislature reads “We need homes!” (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)

Scathing auditor general’s findings on Yukon housing underlines long-standing issues

Report says Yukon Housing Corporation and department of Health and Social Services failed to provide vulnerable Yukoners with proper housing

A poster seen May 25 outside the Yukon legislature reads “We need homes!” (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
Dan Vandal, the minister of Northern Affairs and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced funding for three technology projects based in Whitehorse. Vandal is seen rising in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 9, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)

Funding identified for three Whitehorse-based tech projects

CanNor announced $128,000 for three projects

Dan Vandal, the minister of Northern Affairs and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced funding for three technology projects based in Whitehorse. Vandal is seen rising in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 9, 2020. (Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
Gurdeep Pandher (left) and Brianna Heal dance a bhangra/highland mashup during the Bhangra - Dance of Punjab show at the Yukon Arts Centre in 2018. Pandher was recently named the winner of the Toastmasters International District 96 Communication and Leadership Award for 2022. (Yukon News file)

Yukoner awarded for leadership and communication

Toastmasters district recognizes Gurdeep Pandher

Gurdeep Pandher (left) and Brianna Heal dance a bhangra/highland mashup during the Bhangra - Dance of Punjab show at the Yukon Arts Centre in 2018. Pandher was recently named the winner of the Toastmasters International District 96 Communication and Leadership Award for 2022. (Yukon News file)
Bob Sung is seen in Whitehorse May 19 during the opening of a display celebrating Yukon’s enthno-history. Sung’s father, Bruce, who owned the Yukon’s first supermarket, is featured in the display. (Tom Patrick/Star Flower Photography)

Influential Asian Yukoners commemorated with new display

Bruce Sung among many remembered for their contributions to the territory

Bob Sung is seen in Whitehorse May 19 during the opening of a display celebrating Yukon’s enthno-history. Sung’s father, Bruce, who owned the Yukon’s first supermarket, is featured in the display. (Tom Patrick/Star Flower Photography)
New regulations have left Yukon businesses that deal in firearms scrambling to comply with new record-keeping requirements imposed by the federal government. (File Photo)

Yukon businesses scramble to comply with new firearms regulations

New record keeping requirments in effect May 18. Many gun store customers unaware.

New regulations have left Yukon businesses that deal in firearms scrambling to comply with new record-keeping requirements imposed by the federal government. (File Photo)
Whitehorse RCMP is investigating a May 19 assault near the Black Street Stairs. (Yukon News/file)

Whitehorse RCMP seek assistance identifying suspect in Black Street stairs assault

The assault took place shortly after midnight on May 19.

Whitehorse RCMP is investigating a May 19 assault near the Black Street Stairs. (Yukon News/file)
Morgan Wienberg is seen outside the Parliament building in Ottawa on May 13 where Yukon MP Brendan Hanley presented a petition led by Wienberg to end support for foreign orphanages. (Kelly Milner/Submitted)

Petition calls on federal government to take action against the support of foreign orphanages

Yukon MP presents document to Parliament

Morgan Wienberg is seen outside the Parliament building in Ottawa on May 13 where Yukon MP Brendan Hanley presented a petition led by Wienberg to end support for foreign orphanages. (Kelly Milner/Submitted)
Rain City Improv will be at the Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival on May 29 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Go to yukonartscentre.com for full schedule. (Submitted)

Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival comes to the Yukon Arts Centre

Event will also celebrate arts centre’s 30th anniversary

Rain City Improv will be at the Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival on May 29 at the Yukon Arts Centre. Go to yukonartscentre.com for full schedule. (Submitted)
The Yukon government is no longer making masks mandatory in school settings. (Black Press file)

Yukon drops mandatory masks in schools

Notice to parents, guardians and staff explains masks no longer required for students and staff

The Yukon government is no longer making masks mandatory in school settings. (Black Press file)
Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Doris Bill speaks at Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ accountability forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Jeanie McLean, the minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, joins Bill on stage during the event held May 18 and 19 in Whitehorse. (Government of Yukon/Andrew Strain)

‘Not futile’: Yukon’s first MMIWG2S+ accountability forum stresses urgency

Yukon Advisory Committee on MMIWG2S+ releases top 10 priorities

Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Doris Bill speaks at Yukon’s MMIWG2S+ accountability forum at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Jeanie McLean, the minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, joins Bill on stage during the event held May 18 and 19 in Whitehorse. (Government of Yukon/Andrew Strain)
Richard Mostyn, Yukon’s minister of Community Services, addresses the Association of Yukon Communities at their annual general meeting on May 13. (Lawrie Crawford/Yukon News)

COVID-19 legacy remains on Yukon municipal balance sheets

Businesses survive the short term; education and community social problems linger

Richard Mostyn, Yukon’s minister of Community Services, addresses the Association of Yukon Communities at their annual general meeting on May 13. (Lawrie Crawford/Yukon News)
Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation joined fellow representatives from the Gwich’in Nation in Washington, D.C. in their efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign/Twitter)

Gwich’in leaders descend on White House to defend Arctic refuge from energy development

Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm is among those stressing threats to area’s cultural and spiritual significance

Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation joined fellow representatives from the Gwich’in Nation in Washington, D.C. in their efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Arctic Refuge Defense Campaign/Twitter)
Whitehorse City Hall (Yukon News file)

City news, briefly

A look at issues discussed by Whitehorse city council at its May…

Whitehorse City Hall (Yukon News file)
Left to right are Mayor Laura Cabott of Whitehorse; Grand Chief Peter Johnson of the Council of Yukon First Nations; Joanne Vanderheyden, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Gord Curran, the outgoing president of AYC. (Lawrie Crawford/Yukon News)

AYC wants municipal terms extended to four years, elects new president

Community differences and reconciliation, top of mind for new AYC president

Left to right are Mayor Laura Cabott of Whitehorse; Grand Chief Peter Johnson of the Council of Yukon First Nations; Joanne Vanderheyden, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Gord Curran, the outgoing president of AYC. (Lawrie Crawford/Yukon News)
Roland and Jayla Thomas practice proper bear spray using a can of inert spray on a moving target at the Spring Bear Fair, an educational event in downtown Whitehorse focused on strategies for keeping people and bears safe. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)

As bears wake up, Yukoners get prepared

Educational event in downtown Whitehorse teaches bear safety.

Roland and Jayla Thomas practice proper bear spray using a can of inert spray on a moving target at the Spring Bear Fair, an educational event in downtown Whitehorse focused on strategies for keeping people and bears safe. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)
Lewes Boulevard apartments seen on May 17. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)

Yukon’s temporary rent freeze recapped at 3.3%

Opposition parties continue to debate whether rent cap works after first year of interim policy

Lewes Boulevard apartments seen on May 17. (Dana Hatherly/Yukon News)
Water from McConnell Lake is flowing freely across Neil and Meagan Gillis’ driveway and pooling up behind the house before making its way downhill. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)

Residents hope for permanent solution to Annie Lake Road area flooding

Government collecting drone footage for possible correction of McConnell Lake drainage.

Water from McConnell Lake is flowing freely across Neil and Meagan Gillis’ driveway and pooling up behind the house before making its way downhill. (Jim Elliot/Yukon News)
Fences such as this one line a number of areas along the escarpment as it continues to see sloughing, tension cracks and movement. (Stephanie Waddell/Yukon News)

Robert Service Way cleanup expected to start next week

Escarpment areas continue to be closed off as ground movement continues

Fences such as this one line a number of areas along the escarpment as it continues to see sloughing, tension cracks and movement. (Stephanie Waddell/Yukon News)
The City of Whitehorse has released its draft Official Community Plan and is seeking public feedback. (City of Whitehorse/Screen shot)

‘Diverse, liveable, and affordable:’ Whitehorse drafts an 18-year plan

Document would designate Porter Creek D as greenspace, development to go elsewhere

The City of Whitehorse has released its draft Official Community Plan and is seeking public feedback. (City of Whitehorse/Screen shot)