The Yukon is poised to become the first jurisdiction in Canada to mandate carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in homes with oil-fired appliance and attached garages.

The measure will be contained in new legislation set for tabling during the spring legislative sitting.

New regulations governing the installation and modification of oil-fired appliances will also be brought forward.

Once the legislation is implemented, only certified oil burner mechanics will be able to install or make major repairs to oil-fired appliances.

Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor said today uncertified mechanics will still be able to service and make minor repairs to oil-fired appliances for the indefinite future.

"Having certified mechanics in every community is the ultimate goal,” Taylor told the Star.

"The reality is that we're not there yet. When minister (Scott) Kent and I took the recommendations of the working group's plan forward to each and every community last fall, we heard very clearly that there is a lack of certified oil burner mechanics in the communities.”

Kent is the minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corp.

Individual home owners, of course, have the option of only using a certified mechanic to maintain their appliances, Taylor noted.

"The safety of all of our homes is a shared responsibility,” she said.

The legislation will include penalties for those who violate the law.

Kent pointed to Yukon Housing's home repair program, which provides low-interest loans to homeowners who may not otherwise be able to afford necessary repairs.

The government is working to increase the number of certified mechanics in the territory.

As of Jan. 31, there were 16 oil burner apprentices in the territory, 14 in their first year and two in their third.

In May, Yukon College will offer a level A oil burner mechanic program, and seven apprentices have enrolled thus far.

Kent said to expect further announcements soon through feedback from a survey it completed of people working in the trade between October and December 2012.

The government will also continue to expand the carbon monoxide awareness campaign it launched during Fire Prevention Week last October.

The budget has not yet been set for the campaign.

"We recognize the importance of this, whether it's the budget for training or the budget for public awareness, so we're prepared to do what it takes to ensure that Yukoners are safe in their own homes,” Kent told the Star today.

The legislative changes were made in response to recommendations put forward by the oil-fired appliances working group last fall and recommendations made last Friday by the jury involved in a coroner's inquest.

The inquest examined the factors behind the January 2012 deaths of five Yukoners from carbon monoxide poisoning in the 40-year-old house they had been renting on Centennial Street.

The planned legislation will take the form of amendments to the Building Standards Act, Fire Prevention Act, and Electrical Protection Act.

"Regulations under the new Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RLTA) are also being proposed that would require all fuel-burning heating appliances in rental properties to be regularly serviced, and those proposals will be part of the upcoming consultation on the RLTA's regulations,” Taylor said in a statement.

The government is also set to expand its carbon monoxide public awareness campaign and to improve awareness of oil-fired appliance safety in the territory.

Efforts to legislate the use of carbon monoxide detectors in all homes with fuel-burning appliances and smoke detectors in all Yukon homes were recognized by the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for Carbon Monoxide Education.

"The Yukon government deserves high praise for its leadership. These amendments will save lives and honour the legacy of the Rusk and McNamee families,” said John Gignac, the foundation's executive director.

"Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive peace of mind for families.

"Putting strict controls on the installation and modification of fuel-burning devices will go a long way to preventing carbon monoxide at the source.”

Gignac, who lost four family members to carbon monoxide poisoning, is also supportive of the government's planned public awareness efforts.

"Helping people understand the sources of CO and symptoms to watch for is critical if lives are to be spared,” Gignac said.

"I know my niece Laurie is looking down right now, pleased to see these important steps the Yukon government is taking, and hoping others will do the same.”

"The government has undertaken a number of public awareness and training initiatives related to oil-fired appliances over the past several years, and we will continue to do more,” Kent said in the statement.

"Together, through a combination of legislation, education, and homeowner diligence, we can reduce the likelihood that a tragedy, such as that which happened in Porter Creek, ever happens again.”

NDP Leader Liz Hanson could not be reached for comment on the planned legislation before today's publication deadline.