News

Yukon Medical Council Resigns

The Yukon Medical Council is taking drastic action to bring their concerns to the Yukon Government.

The six-member board, which licenses the territory's doctors, has resigned because of what it says is a lack of money or staff to do the work it is expected to carry out.

Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor says the move is regrettable, and the government is taking it seriously.

She says she will meet with the Yukon Medical Association on Thursday to discuss the...

Housing Conference Day 2

Delegates at a Northern Housing Conference in Whitehorse are hearing Governments will save a lot of money if they solve homelessness.

The Director of the Canada Homeless Research Network told delegates Wednesday morning, it costs about nine thousand dollars less per year to house a homeless person.

Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition Co-Chair Ross Findlater says that should serve as a wakeup call to even the most fiscally conservative politicians.

Findlater is hoping the political...

YTG To Improve French Language Services

The Yukon Government wants to work more closely with the Francophone community.

The Government is announcing the development of a four-year plan on French Language Services, which will see three pilot-projects take place.

The projects will include letting people know what services are offered in French, implementing a robust interpretation service, and planing for the design of bilingual positions in the Health and Social Services field.

Minister responsible for the French...

RCMP Respond To Medical Emergency

A Whitehorse man is recovering in hospital after he suffered a medical condition while driving.

The incident took place downtown on First Avenue near the Edgewater Hotel on Monday night.

Police say a 69-year old man was found passed out behind the wheel of his pickup which had rolled onto the sidewalk.

RCMP found the man not breathing, and without a pulse, so CPR was performed until Paramedics showed up.

The man was taken to Whitehorse hospital, and was expected to be...

Sima Meeting Wednesday

Funding for Mt. Sima will be the elephant in the room during a special meeting of Whitehorse City Council Wednesday.

The Great Northern Ski Society informed council two weeks ago, it needs 400-thousand to operate until the fall of 2013, and up to 400-thousand for next winter.

This, after stating to council during a similar request last year, they would not need anymore funding.

Mayor Dan Curtis says Sima is an important asset, and a community solution will be...

NDP On Housing Plan

Yukon's Opposition N-D-P calls it an admission of a lack of planning.

The Yukon Party Government announced Tuesday, it was going to consult with organizations and stakeholders to come up with a Housing Action Plan.

Housing Critic Kate White brought the matter up in Question Period.

She told the house, this plan for housing goes against what the government pointed to in its' 2011 election platform.

Minister Scott Kent shot back the government has been taking action over the...

YTG To Develop Housing Action Plan

The Yukon Government says it's going to work with stakeholders and others to develop a Housing Action Plan.

Even though an extensive report from the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition has been out for two years, Housing Minister Scott Kent says the government has been dealing with pressing needs in the meantime.

He says action has already been taken through land development, an expanded youth shelter, new second stage housing for women and children fleeing violence, the expansion of the...

Hillcrest Controls Put Off

Whitehorse City Council is putting off a decision on interim development controls in Hillcrest for two weeks.

Council voted 5-2 at Monday's meeting to delay putting in the measure, which would restrict the height of development to eight metres.

Councilor Betty Irwin says council does change their mind on policies and bylaws when new information comes forward.

Councilor Jocelyn Curteanu fears if council goes ahead with the control, it will set a bad example for...

Yukon Book To US Schools

The story of the Yukon Gold Rush will soon be read in schools across the United States.

Whitehorse author Keith Halliday's book Aurore of the Yukon and an accompanying study guide will be available in at least 45 States this fall.

Halliday says he's gratified to see the book reaching well beyond his original target audience.

Along with Aurore of the Yukon Halliday has written three other books in the MacBride Yukon Kids Series of historical adventure novels.

City Passes O And M Budget

After much debate, the City of Whitehorse has a 2013 Operating Budget.

Council passed the 65-million dollar document at Monday's meeting, but not before some around the table raised concerns about everything from the tax rate, to the budgeting process.

Mayor Dan Curtis says he was surprised to hear some of the comments.

The vote was 4-3 with Councilors Kirk Cameron, Jocelyn Curteanu, and Dave Stockdale against.

Amendments from Stockdale to defer for two weeks, and Cameron...