The Yukon government won’t be hunting for new money to pay to carry out the jury’s recommendations stemming from the inquest into the deaths of four women at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter, according to a press release.
"The loss of these community members has deeply impacted all of us and our hearts go out to their families and loved ones,” Premier Ranj Pillai said in the release. “The coroner's inquest has highlighted crucial areas of improvement to help prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The jury made eight recommendations, most of which are directed at Connective, the group that manages the shelter, while some are for the territorial government.
For the first time, the Yukon government publicly accepted the jury’s recommendations in a letter to the chief coroner that’s been recently posted online.
In the latest release, the Yukon government acknowledges that the deaths of Cassandra Warville, Myranda Aleisha Dawn Tizya-Charlie, Josephine Elizabeth Vanessa Hager and Darla Skookum highlight the impacts of the substance use health emergency declared in January 2022 by the territory. It also acknowledges that systemic change is needed to make sure people are safe and well using Whitehorse Emergency Shelter.
The release notes that implementing the plan quickly and effectively will be primarily paid for within the current territorial budget.
Work is underway to address each recommendation, which has been reviewed and accepted, with “community partners and other affected parties, including Connective, the Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon First Nations governments, non-governmental organizations – including Indigenous women's organizations – and individuals with lived experience,” per the release.
“These efforts are one piece of the broader plan to improve the Yukon’s shelter system. This broader plan also includes comprehensive policy reviews, enhanced training for staff, prioritizing the hiring of Indigenous employees and individuals with lived experience, and creating safe spaces for all shelter guests.”
Connective has also accepted the recommendations directed at it.
The government’s aim is to implement all recommendations by the end of October.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
