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Yukon government pauses implementation of Health Authority, considering repealing Health Authority Act

Monday, 9 February 2026 07:14

By Stuart Cardinal Bonell

CYFN Grand Chief Math’ieya Alatini addresses attendees while Yukon Premier Currie Dixon listens at the first sitting of the Yukon Forum in 2026 at the KDFN Nàkwät'à Kų̀ Potlatch House (Photo: Government of Yukon)

Yukon Premier Currie Dixon cites "outstanding concerns" regarding the impacts on health-care workers pensions and the structure of Shäw Kwä’a.

The Government of Yukon says it will pause the implementation of the Health Authority, and that it is considering repealing its legislation this fall.

At a media event following the Yukon Forum on Friday, Yukon Premier Currie Dixon said that much of the work done in regards to the Health Authority Act was sound, but that the Yukon government has concerns regarding the structure of Shäw Kwä’a, as well as the impacts on healthcare worker pensions.

Premier Dixon said that the chiefs were disappointed to hear that his government was considering repealing the Health Authority Act. Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Mathieya Alatini says that ‘disappointed’ is an understatement.

“The chiefs made it very clear that they are in support of Health Authority,” said Alatini on Friday. “They really feel that the health transformation work requires the Health Authority to be there.”

“There was a commitment to have senior officials look at the work that was done, and really determine how we can move forward on the areas that are on the table. Whether that is cultural safety and humility, whether that is the office of First Nation Health, where are the areas where we need to move forward, and how quickly can we get some of that done?”

Shortly before the Yukon Forum, the CYFN Chiefs Committee on Health issued a press release urging the Yukon government to continue advancing Shäw Kwä’a.

Other topics discussed at the Yukon Forum included new minerals legislation and proposed engagement with the Government of Canada.

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