LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Health & Safety

Sep 17: Seasonal influenza activity in Yukon has started earlier than usual this year, the Chief Medical Officer reports. Laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A, including influenza-related hospitalizations and one outbreak, have been identified in Yukon starting in mid-August. Yukon typically sees an increase in influenza cases beginning in November.

Action Point: Find out how to create a legally and clinically sound workplace Exposure Control Plan to protect your employees against seasonal respiratory viruses and other infectious illnesses.

Immigration

Sep 9: From now through Oct. 6, the government will conduct online surveying to gather feedback on the Yukon Nominee Program. The engagement includes three separate surveys, including one for employers (the other two are for residents, and current and former Program participants). While employer demand for foreign workers under the Program, the number of nominations allotted to Yukon has declined.

Action Point: Find out what companies and their HR directors need to know to navigate the immigration law maze.

New Laws

Sep 18: Yukon and the Council of Yukon First Nations signed a declaration to work together across a broad front. The so-called Yukon Forum Declaration sets out shared commitments to strengthen government-to-government relationships and advance shared strategic priorities, including rural health care, fiscal policy, critical energy infrastructure, and firearms.

New Laws

Sep 4: Yukon reported that it’s reduced timelines for issuing government permits in the mining industry by over 50% as compared to 2025. Timelines for Class 1 notifications have been reduced by 30%, with most projects receiving decisions within 50 days. As of August 31, Yukon issued over 100 decision documents, more than doubling the 48 issued in the same period last year. That includes nine Class 3 authorizations, compared to five last year.

New Laws

Sep 1: Yukon modernized its contracts procurement policy by increasing direct award thresholds and introducing regular two-year inflation adjustments to ensure purchasing limits reflect today’s costs. The new thresholds for direct award tenders are: $18,000 for goods (up from $10,000), $75,000 for services (up from $50,000), and $100,000 for construction (up from $50,000).

New Laws

Sep 15: The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) announced more than $1.9 million in Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) funding for four Yukon businesses. The RTRI will provide $3.45 billion over four years to help businesses impacted by tariffs adapt to changing market conditions, strengthen competitiveness, and diversify into new markets.

New Laws

Aug 18: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) announced that it will invest $2.4 million to help establish a new Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) centre in Yukon. This centre will strengthen Yukon First Nations-led research capacity in the territory and expand the national network of Indigenous health research centres to now include all provinces and territories.

Privacy

Aug 27: Yukon released a What We Heard report summarizing the results of recent online surveying on nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images. Key findings: Yukoners are aware that sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence; 43% of the 242 respondents reported experiencing some form of unwanted sexualized communication; and more education and awareness are needed about cyber victimization, especially for young people.

Action Point: Digital privacy and nonconsensual publication of intimate images is also a potential liability risk for employers. Find out how to protect your organization from revenge porn and cyberbullying liability.

Drugs & Alcohol

Sep 9: There were four deaths potentially linked to toxic drugs reported to the Yukon Coroner Services between August 18 and 25, 2026. The proximity in time of these deaths, along with reports from communities and Emergency Medical Services of an increase in substance use overdoses, has raised real concern about the illicit drug supply available in Whitehorse, the government says.

Action Point: Find out how to implement a naloxone opioid drug overdose plan that can help you prevent overdose deaths at your workplace.

CASES

Workplace Harassment: Failure to Stop Harassment Costs Government Agency $44,000

A Department of Highway and Public Works (HPW) heavy equipment operator complained that she suffered racial and sexual harassment from HPW staff, including negative comments and jokes regarding indigenous people and inappropriate staring at her breasts by a coworker. The HPW denied the claims but after hearing all of the evidence, the Yukon Human Rights Commission found that harassment did occur and that the agency was aware of the conduct and didn’t take measures to stop it. Result: It awarded the operator $44,000 in damages and lost wages [Grant v. Govt of Yukon, Department of Highways and Public Works, YHRPA File: 2025-03 Grant, August 28, 2026].

Action Point: The key factor in this case was that HPW was aware that the operator was being harassed but didn’t take effective action to protect her. And once an employer is on notice, it must act. Find out how to implement a legally sound and effective Workplace Harassment Prevention and Compliance Game Plan at your workplace.