By Justin Lemphers, President, Yukon Employees’ Union, May 27th, 2026.

The Yukon Government (YG) is harming Yukon communities by violating its own decentralization policy, and it has been doing so for years. 

Between 2019 and 2025, the total number of YG employees in Yukon communities decreased by 71 positions.  

That loss represents more than statistics on a page. It represents families making difficult choices, communities losing public service capacity, and local economies weakened by the steady erosion of stable employment. 

This is not a temporary trend—it reflects long-standing policy failures that must be addressed if we are serious about building strong, sustainable communities across the territory. 

During the 2025 territorial election campaign, the Yukon Party promised to prioritize rural communities. We are calling on them to deliver on those commitments and increase the number of good-paying jobs available in Yukon communities. 

Strong communities are built when workers can live, work, and raise families where they choose. When wages are fair and employment is stable, people spend their earnings locally and contribute to long-term community resilience. Without that foundation, rural economies are placed under increasing strain. 

Increased investment in public services, improved wages, expanded remote work opportunities, and infrastructure improvements are all critical to supporting growth and sustainability in Yukon communities. 

The decline in rural employment is not inevitable. With the right decisions, it can be reversed.