Premier Ranj Pillai met with Jim DeHart, the U.S. Consul General to British Columbia and the Yukon, on Wednesday in Whitehorse.

Pillai said they continued discussions “about how our governments can continue to collaborate for the benefit of our citizens.

“Since the Consul General assumed his role in 2023, we have appreciated his partnership on a number of shared priorities between the Yukon and the United States,” the premier said.

“During his visit, the Consul General and I spoke about Canada-U.S. border matters, critical minerals opportunities, infrastructure to support our mining sector, Arctic security, and cross-border training initiatives on community safety and MMIWG2S+ issues.

“I also shared with Consul General DeHart the positive collaboration that we have undertaken with our neighbours in Alaska in recent months.”

Those included Tuesday’s announcement of Alaska contributing $42.6 million Cdn to reconstruction of parts of the North Alaska Highway within the Yukon.

“I thank the Consul General for his ongoing attention to the Yukon and Arctic issues,” Pillai said.

“His involvement, alongside the years of deliberate relationship-building, helps to highlight the value of the Yukon working directly with U.S. decision-makers.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our U.S. partners to accomplish our cross-border goals, ultimately bolstering our territory's economy and delivering benefits to Yukoners.”

On Monday, Pillai met with the visiting Thomas Codrington, the United Kingdom Consul General.