This week saw history being made in the Legislature, and an important Yukon Liberal campaign commitment achieved, as National Aboriginal Day became a statutory holiday. Below is a weekly roll-up highlighting important topics, government motions, tributes and bills.
National Aboriginal Day becomes a statutory holiday in Yukon
Our Yukon Liberal Caucus was proud this week to see an important campaign commitment become law. A historic event for Yukon, Bill 2 was passed in the Legislative Assembly, creating National Aboriginal Day as an annual statutory holiday in Yukon beginning on June 21, 2017.
This bill was tabled by Minister of Community Services, John Streicker, who stated,
“The Government of Yukon firmly believes that recognizing National Aboriginal Day as a statutory holiday is a progressive step in our territory. By creating a statutory holiday on June 21st, we are enabling all Yukoners to celebrate Indigenous peoples’ history, culture, traditions and continuing contributions across Canada and here at home. This is key to a modern Yukon that can build on its strengths of diversity and inclusivity.”
A motion on PTSD legislation receives unanimous support
This week we were happy to support the NDP on their motion for the government to consider expanding presumptive PTSD legislation to all workers in Yukon. Minister Dendys started her response by thanking the official third party for initiating the important conversation.
“I would like to thank the Leader of the NDP for bringing this motion forward today. I can say right at the start that we will be supporting the motion.”
“The action called for in the motion is in fact something we, as a government, are already doing. We also want to thank Dawson City Fire Chief Jim Regimbal for the advocacy on behalf of first responders in the recent years in regard to post-traumatic stress disorder. Actually, soon after being sworn in as Minister responsible for the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board, I attended that session for one of the days and listened to first responders and others from the union speak about the passion that they have for this. At the time, I anticipated that this would be one of the areas in my mandate letter, which is exactly what I received.”
The length of spring school break
A motion for the government to consult with parents, school councils and the Yukon Teachers’ Association on determining the length of the spring school break before planning school calendars for the 2018-19 academic year onwards was also unanimously supported.
We’ll share more on this process and how to be involved as it moves forward.
Debt vs Net Debt?
This week during the 2017/18 Budget debate, the topic of debt was discussed. Learn what the terms debt and net debt mean, and how they affect the budget.
This week’s Tributes
Emergency Preparedness Week
Westray mining disaster
Teacher Appreciation Day
Law Day and the Law Day Charity Fun Run and Walk
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week
National Hospice Palliative Care Week
Yukon FireFit team
National Nursing Week
