Businesses facing unrecoverable costs from the cancellations of major events will be reimbursed by the Yukon government.

“While the loss of these large gatherings is disappointing to all Yukoners, the negative impact is especially heavy for businesses that invested in these preparations,” Ranj Pillai, the minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, told a news conference Wednesday afternoon. He is also the Economic Development minister.

The Temporary Support for Events Funding Program will help businesses recoup losses from the cancellations of events slated to take place between March 7 and July 31.

Organizers of eligible gatherings must have expected more than 50 people.

The program is intended for losses involving purchased perishable goods such as food, advertising expenses, cancelled accommodations, service bookings, vendor contracts and the hiring of staff.

Expenses must have been incurred before the chief medical officer’s recommendation to cancel events on March 16.

Businesses are required to attempt to return supplies, cancel contracts and limit losses before applying for funding. Eligible recipients will receive up to 100 per cent of their lost investment.

Non-government-organizations (NGOs) are applicable to receive this relief funding.

The fund is not intended to cover anticipated losses, although hotels and Air North will be eligible to recoup cancellation losses.

Earlier this week, a Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce business survey stated that 88 per cent of local businesses are experiencing the impacts of COVID-19.

Pillai acknowledged that this is a difficult time for Yukon entrepreneurs.

“The numbers that are coming in … they’re all very bleak,” Pillai said.

He said his department is planning more support for businesses in the near future, and is working with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

“Please, before you make any significant decisions, please contemplate the fact that there are more measures coming from the government,” Pillai said.

Members of media pressed him on the two First Nations in the Mayo and Beaver Creek areas that have called for an immediate cessation of all mining activity in the territory.

Pillai responded that some Yukoners are under the false impression that mines employees are exempt from self-isolation and other safety precautions, and that public knowledge is skewed.

“Minto and Victoria Gold have taken this conversation and the measures extremely seriously,” he said.

“Mining doesn’t get a special pass.”

The government has clearly laid out self-isolation rules for all mine workers flying into the Yukon, and those rules are being followed, Pillai said.

He noted that some individuals sidestepping self-isolation rules are skewing public opinion of mine safety.

“I say to them: a small group of people are causing a lot of fear and discomfort in our territory. Follow the rules. They’re very clear.”

He noted that it isn’t possible to entirely cease operations at the Yukon’s larger mines.

“It doesn’t shut down; you don’t just turn the lights off, there is still an obligation to have the people on the ground; there is still an obligation to have other types of work done.

“In any case, there’s gonna be people there. It’s depending on what type of activity they’re going to be undertaking.”