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The Basics of the Yukon

The Yukon, is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three territories. The name of the province comes from the word for "great river" in the aboriginal Gwich'in language. 70 per cent of the Yukon's population of 32,000 live in its capital city Whitehorse. About one quarter of Yukon residents are of Aboriginal descent. The Yukon is home to fourteen First Nations communities, speaking eight different languages.

Situated above the Arctic Circle, average temperatures vary from -18°C in the winter to 14°C in the summer.

Economy and Employment

Mining is the Yukon's largest industry, accounting for more than 30 per cent of the territory's economy. Near the end of the 19th century, a sizable discovery of gold led to the Klondike Gold Rush which saw between 30,000-40,000 people arrive to the territory.

Business, administrative occupations, and government are major sources of economic activity. The Yukon's economy has been gradually diversifying, and tourism is now an important industry. Seasonal unemployment in Whitehorse is consistently below the Canadian average.

Standard of Living

The cost of living in Whitehorse is generally higher than in southern Canadian communities but is lower on average, than many parts of northern Canada. Higher than average salaries, however, afford residents a good standard of living.

A major portion of work in the Yukon is done on a seasonal basis, and standard weekly earnings exceed the Canadian average. In addition, the Yukon has no territorial sales tax. The minimum wage is among the highest in Canada.

Residential Housing

Suitable and affordable housing is readily available in the Yukon, however, prices range significantly according to neighbourhood.

Education

Throughout Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to an education through to the end of secondary school provided by the government free of cost. The Yukon Territory provides a comprehensive public education program from kindergarten through to grade 12. In addition, the public school system has extensive apprenticeship and co-operative education programs to build work skills in youth.

Yukon College, located in Whitehorse, is a member of the University of the Arctic, an international network of higher-education institutions around the North Pole region.

Health Care

Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient.

History

The Yukon Territory was born out of the population that arrived for the Klondike gold rush of the late 19th century. The response of the Canadian government was to create the separate territory of the Yukon.

The Klondike gold rush stimulated a wave of exploration that led to two other smaller gold rushes in later years. Mining continues to play a major role in the economy of the territory today, taking advantage of the region's gold, lead, silver and zinc deposits.

Culture

The Yukon is home to strong First Nations communities. There are eight different aboriginal language groups native to the Yukon, kept alive today by a thriving First Nations community.

The culture of the Yukon incorporates all the aspects of modern, multicultural Canada with the adventurous frontier spirit. This spirit helps to make for a warm and lively community in the midst of a climate that can be harsh.

Demographics

The population of the Yukon has fluctuated significantly over the years with the discovery of new mineral deposits, and today it is home to just over 30,000 people. First Nations people account for nearly a quarter of the territory's residents and about two thirds of the population lives in the capital, Whitehorse.

Immigration

With a very small population, the Yukon is not a major recipient of immigration. Immigrants continue to arrive in the province to take advantage of economic opportunities, particularly in mining. The Yukon, like the rest of Canada, has been shaped strongly by the contributions of immigrants to the territory. Immigration to the Yukon today is mainly to the capital city of Whitehorse. To attract immigrants that can contribute to the territory's economic development, the Yukon has a Provincial Nomination Program.

Government

As a territory rather than a province, the Government of the Yukon has a more limited jurisdiction than its provincial counterparts in Canadian confederation. The Yukon does have elected representation in both houses of Canada's federal parliament as well as its own democratically-elected parliament.

Major City

Whitehorse

The capital city of Whitehorse is home to just over 20,000 people. The city is named after the nearby White Horse Rapids, which are said to look like the mane of a white horse. The main industry and employer in Whitehorse is government services, with the mining industry at a close second.

Whitehorse is a major cultural centre as a location for Canada Winter Games, a major sporting event that attracts many of the country's top athletes. The city has a bustling cultural community, hosting such events as the Frostbite winter festival, an event which warms the city with music in the midst of its harsh winters.