For the first time since the inquest into four deaths at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter ended in April, the Yukon government has made clear that it fully accepts the jury’s recommendations.
Both the territorial government and Connective Support Society (the non-government organization commonly known as Connective that has run the shelter since October 2022) met their July 5 deadlines to get back to the chief coroner’s letters with their intent to respond to the recommendations.
According to a one-page letter from social supports director Stephen Doyle in response to the coroner, the Health and Social Services department has started “work to fulfill” the recommendations following inquest into the deaths of Cassandra Warville, Myranda Aleisha Dawn Tizya-Charlie, Josephine Elizabeth Hager and Darla Skookum.
The government is working with Connective to carry out recommendations directed at Connective, per the letter.
The letter states a public report is expected from the government upon completion of actions.
In its three-page letter, Connective noted its own progress on some recommendations while others, like consulting with Yukon First Nations, will take more time.
Chris Kinch, Connective vice-president of the Yukon's service delivery, indicates Connective takes responsibility to move forward on all the recommendations and fully cooperate with those directed at the Yukon government.
The coroner’s letters and the responses are posted on the Yukon coroner service’s website.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com