The Yukon government has released more details about the $4-million stimulous package Premier Silver announced Monday to support local workers and businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The money is being made available to help offset the negative impacts of the evolving global situation.

The stimulus package has been designed to:

• support Yukon workers through a COVID-19-related 14-day isolation with paid sick leave;

• reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 by establishing a grant program to address certain expenses related to cancelled events;

• stimulate business and the tourism industry by waiving, reimbursing or delaying government fee collection, such as airport landing fees;

• relieve financial pressures by deferring Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board premium payments and reimburse those paid up-front, waive penalties and interest (with approval by the board);

• support the tourism industry with enhanced local advertising efforts;

• support the cultural industry by honouring transfer payment agreements considering COVID-19 related impacts, and;

• continue to monitor the economic impacts of COVID-19 by establishing a Business Advisory Council to gather information and share with government.

The government plans to work with the federal government to access all available federal funding, and to maximize existing funds to keep Yukoners working and Yukon projects going ahead.

Territorial ministers continue to work with federal counterpoints on all aspects of the situation, the government said.

In the last week, there have been frequent conversations among Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, premiers, ministers of Health, Public Safety, Tourism and Culture, Education, and Finance.

“Ongoing meetings are happening between officials at all levels of government, including regular health updates,” Silver said.

“The Government of Yukon supports the continued collaboration between jurisdictions on measures that support the needs of all regions.”

Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon’s chief medical officer of health, “continues to lead the territory’s public health response,” Silver added.

“Our government continues to follow the recommendations of that office on all health issues related to COVID-19.

“This stimulus package will provide necessary support for businesses and workers as the Yukon manages the impacts of COVID-19.

“We continue to work closely with our local, regional and national partners as part of a coordinated effort to address and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19,” Silver added.

The government plans to: 

• Establish a criteria-based grant program that would address certain expenses related to event cancellations due to COVID-19. Criteria to be established will focus on losses related to perishable goods and cancellation of accommodation and services. 

• Waive, reimburse or delay fee collection to either stimulate business or tourist activity or relieve some financial burden on the business community.

Initially, the government will waive landing fees at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport and other related aircraft fees. Other fees will be considered in the coming weeks.

• Honour transfer payment agreements with artists and the cultural industry considering COVID-19-related impacts.

Silver spoke by phone with Trudeau and fellow premiers about supports for workers and vulnerable people, as well as federal efforts around employment insurance.

Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost is conferring weekly over the phone with Canadian health ministers to discuss jurisdictional impacts.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jeanie Dendys has spoken with the federal Tourism minister and other provincial/territorial representatives to discuss tourism impacts both locally and national.

Dendys and Community Services Minister John Streicker have met in person with Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbealt regarding COVID-19 impacts.

Streicker spoke with public safety ministers to discuss best practices across Canada, and emergency management officials are meeting weekly to review the changing status of COVID-19.

Health officials continue to meet regularly (in some cases daily) to discuss the evolving virus and changes in the response.

Education officials are meeting to discuss the impact on students with Canada Student Loans in relation to the closing of secondary education facilities.

Department of Economic Development staff are meeting with federal colleagues in the region to review the economic impact specific to the territory.

Executive Council Office officials continue to confer with national colleagues to review all federal announcements and subsequent impacts locally.

Department of Finance officials met to discuss federal announcements over the phone with Bill Morneau, the federal minister of Finance.

Officials with the Department of Highways and Public Works met discussws readiness at airports and land borders with Transport Canada.

Department of Justice officials are conferring with the Supreme Court of Canada and the federal administrator of courts to discuss how COVID-19 will affect courts.