LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Training

May 11: The new Canada–Yukon Workforce Tariff Response program will provide over $1.5 million over the next three years to support workers and employers in the construction, transportation, mining, and other economic sectors affected by tariffs.  The new funding will help up to 200 workers in the Yukon build new skills and transition into in-demand jobs.

Action Point: If your company is feeling the effects of tariffs, you need to find out more about the temporary EI Work Sharing program changes.

New Laws

Apr 30: Policy changes will make it easier for U.S. physicians to get a licence to practice in Yukon. Administered in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC, the new licensing procedure allows Government of Yukon licensing officers to use a physician’s approved credentials in BC to register the candidate in the territory. Result: American Board-certified physicians can use one set of documents to apply for licensing in two Canadian jurisdictions.

New Laws

Apr 21: The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will contribute up to $1,264,308 to five projects aimed at improving the safety of Yukon’s food preparation, storage, and distribution systems. The recipients include a mix of private sector entrepreneurs, First Nation organizations, and government agencies.

Health & Safety

May 4: Yukon’s time-loss injury rate fell to a decade-low 1.2 per 100 workers covered, according to the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board’s (WSCB) newly released 2025 Annual Report. Claims filed decreased nearly 10% from 893 to 813 while claims accepted dipped from 706 to 629. Regrettably, there were four work fatalities in 2025, two more than in 2024.

Health & Safety

June 1: June 1 is the day the WSCB will implement its new administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) policy with penalty amounts for OHS penalties ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on seriousness of the offence and whether it’s a first, second, or third/subsequent violation. The agency will also begin publishing the names of company who receive AMPs, adding a public relations cost to noncompliance.

Action Point: Find out how to survive surprise government OHS inspections that can result in AMPs.

Drugs & Alcohol

May 14: Yukon’s Chief Coroner has recorded 149 deaths related to toxic drugs since April 2016. The good news is that none of these deaths occurred during the first three months of 2026. In January 2022, Yukon declared a Substance Use Health Emergency following 25 deaths linked to toxic illicit drugs in 2021 and eight more in the first days of 2022. Since then, the Yukon Coroner Services has recorded 73 deaths related to or caused by toxic illicit drugs.

Action Point: Find out how to implement an effective fitness for duty policy to control substance abuse at your workplace.

Workers’ Compensation

May 6: The WSCB will distribute $10 million worth of workers’ compensation rebates to Yukon employers in 2026. To be eligible, employers must have held an active account in 2025 and remain in good standing with all reporting and regulatory compliance obligations. Eligible businesses will receive rebates as an automated credit applied directly to their assessment accounts.
Action Point: Find out how to create a vibrant workplace health and safety culture to prevent injuries and workers’ comp claims at your company.

CASES

There are no cases to mention this month.