LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Infectious Illness

Sep 25: Yukoners can now book appointments for seasonal respiratory illness vaccines. Seasonal influenza has started earlier than usual this year in Yukon with laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A reported starting in mid-August. Yukon typically sees an increase in influenza cases beginning in November.

Action Point: Use the OHS Insider Infection Exposure Control Plan template to prevent COVID, influenza, and other seasonal respiratory illness outbreaks at your workplace.

Transportation Safety

Oct 2: Yukon launched public consultations on what, if anything, it should do to regulate and ensure the safe use of electric micromobility devices. Current Motor Vehicles Act regulations don’t specifically address these devices, which include e-scooters, hoverboards, electric unicycles, and electric skateboards. The deadline to complete the online survey is November 30.

New Laws

Oct 6: The government completed online surveying of 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.

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.

Industry Challenges

Oct 8: The Government of Yukon and City of Whitehorse met with builders, developers, contractors, municipalities, First Nations governments, and other stakeholders to discuss the creation of a made-in-Yukon approach to the 2025 National Building Code. The government will rely on the output to propose amendments to the Yukon Building Standards Act.

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.

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: Toxic drug fatalities may occur in the workplace. Find out how to implement a workplace Naloxone Program to prevent opioid overdose deaths at your site.

Workers’ Compensation

Sep 24: The Yukon Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board (WSCB) cut the 2027 average assessment rate from $2.11 to $1.86 per $100 assessable payroll. Rates will decrease across all rate groups with no industry reclassifications, with the biggest decreases in two sectors: Resources & Transportation High (-$1.29) and Construction High (-$1.00). 2027 Maximum Annual Earnings will be $111,580.

Environmental

Sep 4: Yukon reported that it has 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.

Environmental

Sep 29: Yukon is launching a rebate to support local businesses participating in the packaging and paper products Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. Yukon businesses may receive an offset up to 65% of their total EPR invoice for 2026. This will help offset the higher per-product fees that Yukon businesses pay compared to EPR fees in Alberta and British Columbia. Deadline to apply: December 31.

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 co-worker. 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 Violence and Harassment Compliance Game Plan at your workplace.