September 11, 2024

Business

Facing competition, Northwestel ups speeds and lowers prices (Cabin Radio)

Northwestel is enhancing its internet services by increasing download speeds to 700 Mbps and reducing prices on its 300 Mbps and 500 Mbps plans by $10 per month, alongside a $5 reduction on its TV Plus app package. This move comes as the company faces competition from Starlink, which offers lower-priced options. Additionally, there are ongoing plans for Indigenous companies to acquire Northwestel from Bell Canada for up to $1 billion, though the deal's status remains unclear.

Northwestel delivers internet and TV price decreases and introduces new 700 Mbps service (Northwestel)

Northwestel has launched a new 700 Mbps internet plan and reduced prices for some existing plans, including a $10/month decrease for Internet 300 and Internet 500, and a $5/month decrease for the TV Plus app. They also introduced an affordable Unlimited Internet 50 plan for $129.95/month. Additionally, a $20/month bundle credit for customers subscribing to both Northwestel internet and eligible Bell Mobility plans has been extended indefinitely. These changes aim to provide better value and faster internet options for residents in various Northern communities.

Selkirk First Nation a step closer to taking over Minto Mine in Yukon (APTN)

Selkirk First Nation is closer to acquiring the abandoned Minto Mine in Yukon after the Supreme Court approved the sale of its assets. This acquisition allows the First Nation to gain control over the site, potentially enabling future exploration and reopening, which could benefit the community economically. The First Nation is also working on a second transaction to secure necessary mining claims and authorizations for exploration activities, with plans to proceed into 2026.

Cascadia completes field work at Yukon and B.C. properties | 2024-09-09 (Stockhouse)

Cascadia Minerals has completed its 2024 fieldwork in Yukon and British Columbia, with assays pending for multiple projects. Key findings include high-grade gold-silver mineralization at the Amp Zone and new copper mineralization discovered at the PIL property. The company continues to explore for copper-gold porphyry systems, with significant drilling and sampling conducted across various properties.

Banyan Completes 75% Earn-In on the Aurex Property, Yukon (Digital Journal)

Banyan Gold Corp has completed a 75% earn-in on the Aurex Property in Yukon, which includes the majority of the Powerline Deposit. The company has fulfilled exploration expenditure requirements to earn 100% ownership and plans to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) by December 2025. The AurMac Project currently has an inferred mineral resource estimate of 7.0 million gold ounces. Upcoming corporate presentations and events are scheduled throughout September 2024.

Sitka Intercepts Multiple Occurrences of Visible Gold from Surface to 680 Metres in Deepest Hole Ever Drilled at RC Gold in Yukon (Insider Tracking)

Sitka Gold Corp. has reported multiple occurrences of visible gold in drill hole DDRCCC-24-068 at the Blackjack Deposit in Yukon, with the hole reaching a depth of 680 metres, the deepest drilled to date. The drilling indicates robust mineralization, with visible gold associated with quartz veins and bismuthinite. The mineralization remains open in all directions, suggesting proximity to a larger gold system. The company has completed 72 diamond drill holes, with an initial inferred mineral resource estimate of 1,340,000 ounces of gold at the RC Gold Project.

Education

Yukon early childhood educators gather at the 2024 Early Learning and Child Care Conference (Government of Yukon)

Over 350 early childhood educators gathered in Whitehorse on September 9-10, 2024, for the Early Learning and Child Care Conference, hosted by the Government of Yukon. The conference focused on professional development, with workshops covering responsive care, outdoor learning, and First Nations knowledge. A highlight was guest speaker Dr. Jean Clinton, a clinical professor at McMaster University, who shared insights on early childhood education.

Science

Ancient Mummified Animals Gold Miners Are Discovering in Yukon (Business Insider)

Gold miners in the Yukon are uncovering significant paleontological finds, including mummified Ice Age animals like a wolf pup and a baby mammoth named Nun Cho Ga. These discoveries, facilitated by mining through permafrost, contribute to understanding ancient life and the region's ecological history. As global temperatures rise and permafrost thaws, more fossils are expected to emerge, prompting hopes for future discoveries, including ancient human remains.

Community

Ember Fire Academy celebrates 10 years of empowering women in firefighting (Government of Yukon)

The Ember Fire Academy celebrates its tenth anniversary, empowering women in firefighting through a free week-long program for women aged 16 and up. The program, running from September 9 to 14, offers hands-on training in firefighting and emergency response, addressing the under-representation of women in the Canadian fire service. Since its inception in 2014, 119 recruits have participated, enhancing recruitment and leadership opportunities for women in Yukon.

Government

Together Whitehorse group announces slate for city election (Yukon News)

The "Together Whitehorse" group has announced its candidates for the upcoming Whitehorse elections, including Dan Bushnell for mayor and Jenny Hamilton, Jason Wilneff, and Daniel Schneider for council. Their priorities focus on community safety, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration with territorial and First Nations governments, aiming to expand community safety officer roles and address crime's root causes, while fostering a business-friendly environment and prioritizing critical spending areas.

Whitehorse city council wants RCMP to prioritize rising property crime (CBC)

Whitehorse city council unanimously passed a motion to request the territory's justice minister to prioritize rising property crime in the RCMP's policing agenda. The motion, presented by Coun. Ted Laking, reflects concerns over increasing crime rates affecting local businesses and community safety. Mayor Laura Cabott will write the request by the end of September, marking the city's second request for policing priorities, the first being traffic laws and enforcement.

Infrastructure

Yukon First Nations divided over Whitehorse dam relicensing (CBC News)

The Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwach'an Council support a long-term licence for the Whitehorse hydroelectric dam, while the Carcross/Tagish First Nation opposes it, advocating for a shorter licence due to concerns over environmental impacts and First Nations rights. The assessment process is contentious, with differing views on the urgency and duration of the licence, as well as the need for effective environmental protections for local fish populations.

Justice

Proposed class-action suit takes aim at City of Whitehorse over accessibility (CBC)

Two residents of Whitehorse have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the city, claiming that inadequate snow and ice removal violates their Charter rights and discriminates against individuals with mobility issues. The plaintiffs, Ramesh Ferris and Eva Von Flotow, argue that the city's failure to maintain accessibility during winter has caused them significant psychological harm and a loss of dignity. Despite recent city efforts to improve accessibility, their lawyer contends that these measures are insufficient, prompting the lawsuit as a last resort to compel the city to take effective action.

SCAN evictions ruled unconstitutional by Yukon court (Yukon News)

The Yukon Supreme Court ruled that the SCAN Act's provision allowing evictions based on suspected illegal activities is unconstitutional, violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case was brought by Celia Wright, who faced eviction alongside her family. The court found the eviction process lacked procedural fairness and was grossly disproportionate. While the ruling affirmed personal security rights violations, it did not find evidence of equality rights breaches affecting Indigenous people. This decision may set a precedent for similar laws in other jurisdictions.

Some Whitehorse NGOs 'very pleased' with court decision striking down SCAN Act evictions (CBC)

Community organizations in Whitehorse are celebrating a court ruling that deemed a section of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act unconstitutional, which allowed evictions with only five days' notice. The decision is seen as a victory for vulnerable populations, as it was found to violate rights to security and contributed to homelessness. While the ruling is welcomed, advocates emphasize the need for further reforms in housing, healthcare, and drug policy to enhance community safety.

Safety

FireSmart Initiatives Planned For Whitehorse Neighbourhoods (City of Whitehorse)

The City of Whitehorse is launching FireSmart initiatives this fall to reduce wildfire risks in residential neighborhoods. Actions include removing dead wood, immature conifer saplings, and pruning trees in areas like Copper Ridge, Porter Creek, Riverdale, and Granger. Residents may experience noise and temporary trail closures during this work. The city emphasizes safety and appreciates public cooperation.