Life in the Yukon: A Guide for New Immigrants

Living in Yukon is one of the available options for applicants to immigrate to Canada. The low population and favorable conditions for immigration make this land highly attractive for newly arrived immigrants. Yukon is the smallest and westernmost territory among the other 3 territories or territories of Canada. With 36,000 people, this territory has the lowest population among all Canadian provinces and territories. Whitehorse, the center of the territory and the only city of the Yukon Territory, with 75% of the population of the northern territories, is the largest urban center among the 3 territories of Canada.

The Yukon is an amazing place to live, with wildlife recreation, abundant opportunities, unspoiled natural resources, and very kind and hospitable people.

What will life in the Yukon be like for newcomers?

Immigrate to the Yukon

With the smallest population, the Yukon was not a major attractor for new immigrants. However, since the gold rush in the Klondike began to trickle in, immigrants continued to enter the territory to take advantage of the economic opportunities, especially in the mines. The present territory of the Yukon, like the rest of Canada, has been greatly altered by the influx of immigrants.

Immigration to the Yukon today is mainly to the territory’s center, the town of Whitehorse. To attract immigrants who can contribute to the territory’s economic development, the Yukon has a provincial nomination program that can help immigrants who want to settle here get Canadian residency faster.

Standards of living in the Yukon

The cost of living in Whitehorse is generally higher than in southern Canada. But on average it is lower than the cost of living elsewhere in the Yukon or many cities in northern Canada. The median annual household income in the Yukon exceeds $94,000, allowing residents to maintain a high standard of living that matches the rest of Canada. Here are some other things about living in the Yukon:

Much of the work in the Yukon is seasonal.

Standard weekly earnings are above the Canadian average.

The Yukon has no real estate sales tax.

The minimum wage is currently $10.86 per hour.

Economy

Yukon’s economy relies heavily on the land’s rich natural resources. Mining is the biggest industry in the Yukon and lead, zinc, silver, gold and copper mines are being mined in this territory.

After natural resources, commercial and administrative jobs form the second field of employment in the society. In addition, government is the main source of economic activity in the center of Whitehorse territory, accounting for a significant portion of total employment. The Yukon economy has gradually diversified, and tourism now accounts for a significant portion of Yukon jobs and services. Unemployment in Whitehorse is currently around 7 percent, but this rate fluctuates seasonally.

health Service

According to Canadian law, in all provinces and territories, all citizens and legal residents of Canada must have access to publicly funded, world-class health care. In other words, most healthcare services in Canada are provided at no direct cost to the patient. Some non-essential medical services (such as cosmetic surgery and dental care) are not covered by this law, but the list of publicly paid services varies from province to province.

Education

Across Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 have the right to complete secondary education for free. The cost of this education is provided by the government. The Yukon Territory offers a comprehensive public education program from kindergarten through grade 12. In addition, the public school system has extensive internship programs and group trainings to build job skills in young people. Yukon Territory schools follow the curriculum developed by the neighboring province of British Columbia.

Yukon has a post-secondary institution, Yukon College, located in Whitehorse. This educational institution has educational programs with the validity of university degrees in the fields of arts, sciences and northern studies, as well as programs in renewable resource management and environmental officer training.

There are also technical programs for training people at the apprentice and pre-employment levels. Computer studies, business management, administrative affairs, tourism and cooking are among the fields offered. Yukon College is also a member of Arctic University, an international network of higher education institutions across the Arctic region.

Common questions from expats about the Yukon

* Why is the Yukon a good destination for immigrants?

Expats who choose the Yukon as their destination can expect to enjoy an active, yet relaxed lifestyle with many cultural events throughout the year. The Yukon has a diverse population, 25% of which are indigenous to the Yukon, an active community of French speakers, as well as many ethnic and cultural groups. The Yukon is well known for its warm and welcoming people, with a large number of volunteers eager to help newcomers.

* How many immigrants live in the Yukon?

The total population of the Yukon is 38,293, of which about 11% are immigrants. Some of the most common countries of origin among immigrants have been the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and the United States.

* Jobs immigrants can look forward to while living in the Yukon

What are they to have?

According to data provided by the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, the top three industries in the Yukon in 2011 were: government administration, retail, and construction.

Sectors in which a high percentage of wage earners are active include public administration, utilities, wholesale trade, educational services, and transportation and warehousing.

* What support programs and services are available in the Yukon?

The Yukon Multicultural Center is one of the main agencies that welcome immigrants to the region. There are services to help solve problems and integrate immigrants into the social, economic, cultural and political life of their community. They offer help and programs to immigrants in the field of solving everyday problems, language training, employment services and social networks.