Yukon government

A home burns in Keno City on Feb. 10. This is the second building to be destroyed by fire in the community this winter, prompting more calls from residents for the Yukon government to do more to protect Keno City and other unincorporated communities. (Amber Smith/Submitted)

Second fire in Keno this winter burns down home

The incident is renewing calls for a solution to the lack of local fire response

A home burns in Keno City on Feb. 10. This is the second building to be destroyed by fire in the community this winter, prompting more calls from residents for the Yukon government to do more to protect Keno City and other unincorporated communities. (Amber Smith/Submitted)
On Feb. 2 the government announced a new website service for “surplus auctions” where individuals and businesses can bid on excess items the government is looking to offload. (Mike Thomas/Yukon News file)

Government joins surplus auction site

Purchasers can bid on items like office furniture and retired machinery

On Feb. 2 the government announced a new website service for “surplus auctions” where individuals and businesses can bid on excess items the government is looking to offload. (Mike Thomas/Yukon News file)
The Yukon Employees’ Union is calling on the Yukon government to ensure workers don’t need to use sick days if they have reactions to the Moderna vaccine. The vaccine does not contain the live virus or make a person more vulnerable to sickness, but it does trigger an immune response that can mimic COVID-19 symptoms while the body builds immunity. Most commonly the response can produce a headache, fatigue or localized pain and muscle aches. These symptoms are normal and indicate that the vaccine is working. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)

YEU says employees shouldn’t need to use sick days to manage vaccine reactions

Department says the situation is being handled appropriately

The Yukon Employees’ Union is calling on the Yukon government to ensure workers don’t need to use sick days if they have reactions to the Moderna vaccine. The vaccine does not contain the live virus or make a person more vulnerable to sickness, but it does trigger an immune response that can mimic COVID-19 symptoms while the body builds immunity. Most commonly the response can produce a headache, fatigue or localized pain and muscle aches. These symptoms are normal and indicate that the vaccine is working. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)
Ranj Pillai, minister of energy, mines and resources, during a press conference in Whitehorse on April 1, 2020.Ranj Pillai, minister of energy, mines and resources, during a press conference in Whitehorse on April 1, 2020. Pillai says the new guidelines for the quartz mining industry will help advance projects while also protecting freshwater resources. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Government releases guidelines for quartz mining water use

“It is important to all Yukoners to have healthy fresh water”

Ranj Pillai, minister of energy, mines and resources, during a press conference in Whitehorse on April 1, 2020.Ranj Pillai, minister of energy, mines and resources, during a press conference in Whitehorse on April 1, 2020. Pillai says the new guidelines for the quartz mining industry will help advance projects while also protecting freshwater resources. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Mike Thomas/Yukon News file The Yukon government sign in front of the main administraton building on Second Avenue. The Yukon government is promising full-time kindergarten in rural areas and a fixed cost for childcare, but details are still forthcoming.

Yukon government says more affordable childcare coming

Opposition party focused on timeline for universal daycare promise

Mike Thomas/Yukon News file The Yukon government sign in front of the main administraton building on Second Avenue. The Yukon government is promising full-time kindergarten in rural areas and a fixed cost for childcare, but details are still forthcoming.
A dirt biker races through a treed path during a harescramble race in Whitehorse on Sep. 19, 2020. The Yukon government has launched an Off-Road Vehicle Management Area Regulation to combat the environmental impacts of all-terrain vehicles. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Off-road vehicles restricted in three management areas

The Yukon government has launched an Off-Road Vehicle Management Area Regulation to…

A dirt biker races through a treed path during a harescramble race in Whitehorse on Sep. 19, 2020. The Yukon government has launched an Off-Road Vehicle Management Area Regulation to combat the environmental impacts of all-terrain vehicles. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
The Yukon Aviation Committee met with government officials earlier this month to discuss airport regulations and a 10-year aviation investment strategy. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Aviation Committee responds to airport regulations, 10-year plan

The Yukon Aviation Committee met with government officials earlier this month to…

The Yukon Aviation Committee met with government officials earlier this month to discuss airport regulations and a 10-year aviation investment strategy. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Solstice Ciderworks’ Haskap Cider that has been recalled. (Solstice Ciderworks Facebook)

Haskap cider recalls

If you have a case of ciders sitting at home that you’ve…

Solstice Ciderworks’ Haskap Cider that has been recalled. (Solstice Ciderworks Facebook)
Yukon Premier Sandy Silver talks to media on March 5, 2020. The Yukon government said Jan. 25 that it is disappointed in a decision by the federal government to send the Kudz Ze Kayah mining project back to the drawing board. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Territorial and federal governments at odds over Kudz Ze Kayah mine project

The federal government, backed by Liard First Nation, sent the proposal back to the screening stage

Yukon Premier Sandy Silver talks to media on March 5, 2020. The Yukon government said Jan. 25 that it is disappointed in a decision by the federal government to send the Kudz Ze Kayah mining project back to the drawing board. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
John Streicker, minister of community services, speaks to media in Whitehorse on April 2, 2020. Streicker spoke to the <em>News </em>on Jan. 26 about the hundreds of alternative self-isolation plan applications his department received between June and November 2020. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Yukon government received over 400 alternate self-isolation applications over five months

A little over half of the applications were approved

John Streicker, minister of community services, speaks to media in Whitehorse on April 2, 2020. Streicker spoke to the <em>News </em>on Jan. 26 about the hundreds of alternative self-isolation plan applications his department received between June and November 2020. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Diane McLeod-McKay, Yukon’s Ombudsman and information and privacy commissioner, filed a petition on Dec. 11 after her office was barred from accessing documents related to a child and family services case. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Yukon government rejects Ombudsman requests for documentation filed to Supreme Court

Diane McLeod-McKay filed a petition on Dec. 11 after requests for documents were barred

Diane McLeod-McKay, Yukon’s Ombudsman and information and privacy commissioner, filed a petition on Dec. 11 after her office was barred from accessing documents related to a child and family services case. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, along with Yukon health and education delegates, announce a new medical research initiative via a Zoom conference on Jan. 21. (Screen shot)

New medical research unit at Yukon University launched

The SPOR SUPPORT Unit will implement patient-first research practices

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, along with Yukon health and education delegates, announce a new medical research initiative via a Zoom conference on Jan. 21. (Screen shot)
Mobile vaccine team Team Balto practises vaccine clinic set-up and teardown at Vanier Catholic Secondary School. Mobile vaccine teams are heading out this week to the communities in order to begin Moderna vaccinations. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)

Mobile vaccine teams begin community vaccinations

“It’s an all-of-government approach”

Mobile vaccine team Team Balto practises vaccine clinic set-up and teardown at Vanier Catholic Secondary School. Mobile vaccine teams are heading out this week to the communities in order to begin Moderna vaccinations. (Haley Ritchie/Yukon News)
The Liard First Nation is preparing to enter negotiations for self-governance with the territorial and federal governments. (Jackie Hong/Yukon News file)

Liard First Nation preparing to enter self-governance negotiations with Yukon, federal governments

Chief Stephen Charlie seeking an agreement separate from “dead end” UFA

The Liard First Nation is preparing to enter negotiations for self-governance with the territorial and federal governments. (Jackie Hong/Yukon News file)
Colin McDowell, the director of land management for the Yukon government, pulls lottery tickets at random during the a Whistle Bend property lottery in Whitehorse on Sept. 9, 2019. More than 800 applicants were vying for land in the latest Yukon government lottery for residential land and commercial sites, mainly in Whistle Bend. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Whistle Bend lottery draws more than 800 applicants for less than 200 properties

Demand outstrips supply yet again

Colin McDowell, the director of land management for the Yukon government, pulls lottery tickets at random during the a Whistle Bend property lottery in Whitehorse on Sept. 9, 2019. More than 800 applicants were vying for land in the latest Yukon government lottery for residential land and commercial sites, mainly in Whistle Bend. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
The Fish Lake area viewed from the top of Haeckel Hill on Sept. 11, 2018. The Yukon government and Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) announced they are in the beginning stages of a local area planning process for the area. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Local area planning for Fish Lake announced

The Government of Yukon and Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) announced in…

The Fish Lake area viewed from the top of Haeckel Hill on Sept. 11, 2018. The Yukon government and Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) announced they are in the beginning stages of a local area planning process for the area. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
The grace period for the new Yukon lobbyist registry has come to an end and those who seek to influence politicians will now need to report their efforts to a public database. (Mike Thomas/Yukon News file)

Grace period for new lobbyist registry ends

So far nine lobbyists have registered their activities with politicians in the territory

The grace period for the new Yukon lobbyist registry has come to an end and those who seek to influence politicians will now need to report their efforts to a public database. (Mike Thomas/Yukon News file)
The Government of Yukon Main Administration Building in Whitehorse on Aug. 21, 2020. The Yukon government is looking for feedback on its newly released draft of its creative and cultural industries 10-year strategy. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

Yukon government seeks feedback on plan to advance creative industries

The Yukon government released a draft of its creative and cultural industries…

The Government of Yukon Main Administration Building in Whitehorse on Aug. 21, 2020. The Yukon government is looking for feedback on its newly released draft of its creative and cultural industries 10-year strategy. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
Yukon Housing is set to take over ownership of Options For Independence’s supportive housing residence on Fourth Avenue with the non-profit organization continuing to operate the facility. (John Hopkins-Hill/Yukon News)

Options For Independence seeks exemption on grant repayment

Organization could have to pay back $65,672 if exemption not approved

Yukon Housing is set to take over ownership of Options For Independence’s supportive housing residence on Fourth Avenue with the non-profit organization continuing to operate the facility. (John Hopkins-Hill/Yukon News)
A worker sifts through rock samples at a minesite in 2013. A draft mineral development strategy for the Yukon that includes 79 recommendations was released for public review on Dec. 28. (Jesse Winter/Yukon News file)

Yukon’s draft mineral strategy open to public feedback

The ambitious report outlines 79 recommendations for a sustainable resource extraction industry

A worker sifts through rock samples at a minesite in 2013. A draft mineral development strategy for the Yukon that includes 79 recommendations was released for public review on Dec. 28. (Jesse Winter/Yukon News file)