Month In Review – Yukon
LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Minimum Wage
Apr 1: Yukon increased its general minimum wage from $16.77 to $17.59 per hour. That’s the second highest minimum wage in all of Canada, behind only Nunavut at $19.00 per hour.
Action Point: Find out about the latest round of minimum wage increases taking effect across Canada
New Laws
Mar 19: Yukon says it plans to conduct a multi-staged public engagement to develop its future labour market strategy, starting with an online survey that will be posted in the fall. Although Yukon’s unemployment rate is consistently below the national average, there are more working age residents who aren’t actively looking for work than there are jobs available.
Drugs & Alcohol
Mar 18: Newly passed Bill 35 authorizes Yukon to enter into an agreement with Ottawa to double the current federal tax on vaping products sold in the territory. In addition to discouraging vaping, the extra tax will lard Yukon’s coffers since it will receive 50% of all revenues collected in the territory. Yukon wouldn’t add its own tax to these products under the agreement, which could take effect as early as January 1, 2025.
Action Point: Find out how to comply with workplace smoking laws