New program seeks to increase the number of family doctors in the Yukon

Good morning,

You’ll notice today’s newsletter is one day delayed. This is what happens when you don’t properly plan out your travel schedule like I did!

I managed to get out to Kusawa Lake campground last weekend. It’s a reminder of why that campsite is so popular, it’s a beautiful spot to spend a few days camping. I’m looking forward to tackling the big hike there sometime this summer.

Without further delay, let’s dive into today’s stories.

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder

The Yukon Weather Report

HEALTHCARE

New program seeks to increase the number of family doctors in the Yukon

What happened: Could the Yukon be one step closer to having more family doctors? A new program partnership with the University of Alberta seeks to do just that. The family residency medical program pilot program is the first-ever in the territory, allowing a medical student to do their residency program in family medicine. The program is modelled after a similar program in Yellowknife that saw huge success with retaining doctors, according to CBC. 

The goal of the program is to embed residents in the territorial health care system, which is considered a valuable way to recruit and retain doctors. The first resident will start in January and will split their time between Edmonton and the Yukon, according to Yukon News. If the program works, it could be expanded in the future, up to potentially four residents after 2027.

• While doctors visit the Yukon, few stay long enough to settle in.

Key data: According to an interview in the Yukon News, the president of the Yukon Medical Association says the Yukon has fewer doctors per capita than the Canadian average. And it’s been challenging to keep new doctors after their locum.

The shortage is acute for family doctors, with around 4,000 families in the Yukon without a family doctor in the territory, according to the CBC. An even more troubling statistic? Around 40 per cent of family physicians plan to close in the next five years. In Canada, around 6.5 million people don’t have a family doctor. 

Why it matters: Retaining more doctors is a huge challenge in rural and smaller areas across Canada, and the Yukon is no different. One key difference that may help retain doctors is the selection process for the program, so the territory can identify residents who are more likely to stay in the Yukon after the program is done.

HOME OF THE WEEK

Is this a dream home in Granger?

Newly listed, this four-bedroom, three bathroom home has a massive deck for having friends over, a big, newly renovated kitchen and 1,900 square feet of living space. It’s the perfect layout for a family.

How much will this set you back? You’ll have to see…

THE AGENDA

🏥 Whitehorse General Hospital announced a new mental health care unit, to help deliver better short-term psychiatric care in the territory. It will replace the existing Secure Medical unit above the Emergency Department, with eight dedicated beds, with expansion up to 12. 

🤝 The Council of Yukon First Nations and the Assembly of First Nations will combine their regional leadership into one group. AFN is an Ottawa-based national advocacy group, while CYFN is a political organization in the territory. [CBC]

🧑‍🚒 Yukon firefighters, as well as a heavy air tanker, have been sent to Alberta and Saskatchewan to help fight wildfires for up to 19 days. Wildfire activity in the territory is currently low, meaning resources are free to send. 

🚰 The Village of Haines Junction is planning to release wastewater effluent from the Waste Water Treatment and Disposal facility beginning on June 12. They are asking people to stay away from the disposal corridor.

🔥 The City of Whitehorse announced that after the successful prescribed burn around Hidden Lakes. The next location they’re planning to burn will be Mary Lake on Monday, assuming conditions are good. There will likely be grey smoke in the area. 

♿️ Dawson is working towards becoming more accessible, while also maintaining the buildings and roads that make it unique. One of the big challenges is the lack of ramps, and accessibility is especially worse in the wintertime. [CBC]

🗳️ Yukon MP Brendan Hanley was recently appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs. 

THE YUKON GUESSER

EVENTS

Events outside Whitehorse are highlighted.

Family + Kids

Friday’s in the Park | Goddard Park | 4:30-6:30 pm | Virsa Crafts, Yukon Invasive Species Council and Humane Society of Yukon all with things to do, and snacks

Midnight Sun Moppets Children’s Festival | Yukon Arts Centre | June 8, 10 am-4 pm | Arts activities for kids and families, all free | Activities

Yukon Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show | Takhini Arena | Jun. 13-16, 4 pm | If you love dogs, this is for you, with eight confirmation shows, and more

Youth Wildcrafting Programs | Dawson | Multiple dates in July | For kids 5+, learn outdoor skills and survival strategies | Register

Augusto! Children’s Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | Aug. 8-10 | Art and music festival that celebrates children | Learn more

Arts + Music

Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival | St. Elias Convention Centre, Haines Junction | June 6-8 | Come enjoy bluegrass music all weekend long | Tickets $195

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Yukon Arts Centre, 300 College Dr | June 18–22, 7 pm (plus June 22 matinee at 2 pm) | Youth musical theatre production by YTYP | Tickets $30+

Our Lady Peace Concert | Shipyards Park | June 28, 5 pm | A free concert featuring Our Lady Peace!

2025 Atlin Arts & Music Festival | Tarahne Provincial Park, Atlin | July 11-13 | Come see over 30 bands, visual artists, films and more! | Tickets $186

Short Walks for Short Nights at ‘Round Back | 27 14 Ave. Whitehorse | July 24, 7-9 pm | Live performances, storytelling, musicians and artists | Tickets $12

Dawson City Music Festival | Downtown Dawson City | Jul. 18-20 | Over 25 artists and bands from across Canada | Tickets $195

Outdoors and Sports

Velonorth 2025 Spring Group Rides | Meet at Midnight Sun Coffee/Icycle | Saturdays, Now until June 7, 10 am | Two-hour road ride with other cyclists | Free

Miles Canyon Clean-Up | Miles Canyon Road (bottom gate) | June 10, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm | Trash pickup & invasive plant removal | Free. Food & drinks provided

Out There, From Here: Bikepacking Trip to Lime Peak | June 14-16 | Come explore the space around us with a biking and hiking trip near Lake Labarge | Sign-up

Yukon Freshwater Fishing Workshop | Yukon University, 500 University Dr. | Jun. 19, 6 pm | Learn fishing tips, knots, Yukon species and more | Tickets $25 | Event link

Marsh Lake Madness Triathlon | Jul. 1 | A normal triathlon, but with paddling instead of swimming! | Learn more

Pine Lake Triathlon | Haines Junction, Pine Lake | Jul. 20, 8 am | 1 km swim, 23 km bike and 6km run | Register here

Discovery Day Golf Tournament | Dawson City Golf Course, Dawson City | Aug. 14-16, 2:00 pm | 18-hole team scramble with prizes and banquet | Learn more

Other

FireSmart Plant Tag Program Launch | Decora and Yukon Gardens | June 6, June 14 at various times | Learn which plants are safer in wildfires | Free

Atlin 2025 Farmer's Market and Tailgate Sale | On the waterfront next to the Tarahne Boat | June 7, 1 pm–4 pm | Local vendors and community market | Free

Italian Summer – DH Shoppe’s Summer Collection | DH Shoppe, 130-2237 Second Avenue | June 14, 2 pm | New summer drop inspired by the Italian coast | Free

Father's Day Show and Shine | Yukon Transportation Museum | June 15, 10 am | Classic car show with vehicle entry and family fun | Free to attend

Graze & Gather | Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, Alaska Hwy | June 20, 6 pm | Keynote, local apps, Yukon ag networking | Tickets $23

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre, Dawson City | June 21, 11 am | Hand games, live music, bannock & more | Free

Yukon Prize Celebration Evening and Feast of Small Plates | The Yukon Arts Centre, 300 University Dr | Oct. 4, 6 pm | Visual, culinary and performing arts celebration | Tickets $100+

Have an event or a community announcement? Submit it here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

Dawson has a handy guide to all their summer activities. You can read it here. 

Until June 15, you can nominate someone from the Community Recognition Program in Haines Junction. 

Car-sharing business Turo has launched in the Yukon. It’s a platform that allows you to rent out your vehicle while you aren’t using it.

Whitehorse has a number of proposed trails that could be built and the city is asking for public feedback on them until June 19. 

Haines Junction is looking for volunteers for the Free Store, for a minimum shift time of two hours from Friday to Sunday. You can email [email protected] if you’re interested. 

The next intake of aquatic lotteries registration at the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse has been delayed due to technical issues. They are hoping to have the problem solved by Monday. 

After a long delay, the Chilkoot Trail is now open for bookings, though Parks Canada is reminding everyone it is illegal to cross the border as part of the hike. 

YUKON JOB BOARD

Discover a new job in the Yukon

• Licensed automotive service technician, Fountain Tire in Whitehorse

• Post office assistant - term, Canada Post in Dawson

• Labour relations advisor, Yukon Employees Union in Whitehorse

• Aquatic instructor, City of Whitehorse

• Casino - bank cashier, Klondike Visitors Centre in Dawson