News Release
For Immediate Release

Harper Government announces support for Cold Climate Research
Government of Canada supporting research to improve life in Northern communities

November 13, 2014 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Office of the Honourable Leona, Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council.

Today, on behalf of Minister Aglukkaq, Yukon MP Ryan Leef announced new funding for Cold Climate Innovation and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College. The Government of Canada is making this new investment to support Yukon innovators and businesses developing and commercializing products and services designed for the cold climate of Canada’s northern territories.

Media Advisory – Cold Climate Innovation announcement from federal government

Please be advised that MP Ryan Leef, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and Minister for the Arctic Council, will make an important announcement related to Cold Climate Innovation, and Technology Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre.

MP Leef, the Honourable Currie Dixon, Minister of Economic Development, and Stephen Mooney, Director of Cold Climate Innovation, of the Yukon Research Centre will be available to media following the event. Media should assemble no later than 8:45am. Past and present Yukon innovations will be highlighted at the event, ie. the Northwestel solar/diesel hybrid power generation project, and the aeroponics dome technology that addresses food security in Yukon.

Yukon College research remains in the national eye. Yukon Research Centre (YRC) made the top ten for both research funding and intensity for the second year in a row in Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges list.

The Yukon Research Centre’s 2013 research income totals $4,256,000, according to Research Infosource Inc. More impressive is that the YRC ranked second in the entire country for research intensity with $472,900 per faculty member compared to $138,500 per faculty member at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, who ranked first for research funding.

“Our researchers are continuing to lead the country in northern research and innovation”, said Dr. Karen Barnes, president, Yukon College. “Our funding success is a testament to our commitment to solve northern problems with northern expertise in our journey to becoming a university”, said Barnes.

WHITEHORSE- Yukon College is pleased to announce the Design Your Campus project, a collaborative community planning initiative to build on the success of the Ayamdigut campus and create a new master plan for its future.

“Ayamdigut campus is a community resource. We need the wider Yukon community to be involved in the discussion around the use of this land reserve and our future development,” said Dr. Karen Barnes, Yukon College president.

“With the creation of the land reserve by the Government of Yukon last year, and the Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining building starting construction next year, now is the perfect time to look at our needs and opportunities, and to develop a more compelling campus experience for students, faculty and the broader Yukon community,” added Barnes.

ROSS RIVER - Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd., the Yukon Mine Training Association (YMTA), Ross River Dena Council and Yukon College’s Ross River campus have teamed up to deliver an eight week life and career coaching program.

Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd. is sponsoring the $55,488 cost of the program, with the Ross River Dena Council and Yukon College providing in-kind support. The course is led by Yukon College instructor and YMTA careers coach, Margot Neely.

“Selwyn Chihong is committed to local education and training, to helping our current employees advance in their careers, and to working with community residents to explore their career options,” said Richard Li, Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd. CEO.

WHITEHORSE–Covering the cost of tuition, textbooks, school supplies and living expenses will become a little easier for 44 Yukon College students this evening. They will receive financial awards and scholarships at the annual Yukon College Awards Ceremony.

The awards range from $150 to a full year of tuition. The College will hand out $51,732.00 at the event, which brings award donors together with the students who have earned them.

“Students are very grateful for this support. The evening is an opportunity for them to express their thanks to the people and businesses that created the award, and for the donors to learn a little about the students they are assisting,” said Andrea Fougere-Chou, Enrolment Management Advisor.

“Text books are very expensive for my program. I will now be able to buy all of my books,” said Felixberta Albeos, an Early Childhood Development diploma student. “I am so thankful. I feel very lucky to be selected.” 

WHITEHORSE-The Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Society, Queer Yukon and Yukon College are teaming up to celebrate Halloween with a Rocky Horror Picture Show Dance Party on Friday October 31, 2014, in the College Gym.

Soul Migration will bring the tunes, Dr. Frank N. Furter will bring the fun, and everyone else must bring a costume. The costume contest held that night will feature cash prizes.

“Everyone has to dress up!” said Allison Furness, Yukon College Student Engagement Coordinator. “We are really excited to be hosting this interactive Halloween event that will bring together so many people from our community and students for a night of fun and celebration.”

The event is a fundraiser for the 2015 Sourdough Rendezvous.

A Yukon College student presented research on hydro security in a changing climate to an international audience this week. Alexandre Mischler attended the Geological Society of America conference in Vancouver, B.C. to share his contribution to a Yukon Research Centre (YRC) project that is using scientific modeling to determine how climate change is impacting the Whitehorse dam.

Yukon Research Centre is developing a hydrological model funded in partnership with Yukon Energy Corporation, Yukon Geological Survey and Water Resources Branch. This model will be used as a tool for decision-making to ensure future hydrological security. Mischler presented this model at this week’s conference in his role as a student researcher with YRC.

WHITEHORSE—Yukon College is developing its first made-in-Yukon degree and post-graduate certificate. Beginning in 2017, the college will offer a three-year Bachelor of Policy Studies in Indigenous Governance and a one-year post-graduate certificate in Climate Change and Public Policy.

“Today we are pleased to mark a major milestone in the North by announcing the first degree and post-degree certificate offered by Yukon College,” Minister of Education Elaine Taylor said. “By enabling more Yukon students to remain at home and continue their education, and by creating niche programs that attract more students from around the world, these advancements will develop and retain knowledge in the North, as well as bring new dollars to the territory.”

WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon will provide $6.3 million to support the continuation and extension of the Yukon Research Centre’s activities. The announcement was made at the centre’s fifth anniversary celebration this afternoon. Yukon College will receive funding over five years for the centre, which hosts a number of programs and services to develop collaborative research, innovation and outreach that meet the needs of northerners.

“Supporting the knowledge and technology sector results in increasing the diversity in Yukon’s economy, which benefits everyone,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said.

Established at Yukon College in 2009, the Yukon Research Centre enables scientists and academics to train, study and make discoveries in Yukon.