Regulatory
BizPal Online Business Permits and Licences
Managed by: BizPal (federal, provincial and territorial governments)
BizPaL is an online service that simplifies the business permit and licence process for entrepreneurs, governments, and third party business service providers. Businesses answer a short series of questions and receive a customized list of potential permits and licences from all levels of government.
Campground Permits (Territorial Parks)
Managed by: Environment, Yukon Government
Campground permits are required for commercial operators using any Yukon territorial campgrounds.
Corporate registrations and services
Managed by: Community Services, Yukon Government
Corporate Affairs creates and registers businesses and non-profit entities; registers personal property interests; provides information to the business sector and the public; provides general information on securities and investments. Corporate Affairs maintains the following registries: Corporate Registry; Societies Registry; Personal Property; Security Registry; Securities Registry.
Motor Vehicle and Driver Licences
Managed by: Community Services, Yukon Government
The Motor Vehicles Unit supports the safety of the driving public by administering the Motor Vehicles Act and Motor Vehicle Act Regulations. Tourism operators should know what licenses they need to carry passengers.
National Park Business License
Managed by: Parks Canada
Under the Canada National Parks Act, businesses conducting any part of their operation within a national park require a National Park Business License. A Yukon Wilderness Tourism Licence is not applicable in national parks.
Park Use Permit (Territorial Parks)
Managed by: Environment, Yukon Government
Backcountry permits are required for commercial operators doing business in any territorial parks including Tombstone and Herschel Island.
Public Land Applications and Land Use Permits
Managed by: Energy, Mines and Resources, Yukon Government
Yukon Government controls the majority of vacant lands in the territory. EMR Lands Branch administers land use permits for a variety of uses and the branch assists with the steps, approvals and processes involved when Yukon Government develops land for public sale. Tourism operators may need to contact other land administrators regarding activities on First Nation settlement lands, municipal lands or federal lands.
Whitehorse Business Licence
Managed by: City of Whitehorse
Anyone conducting any kind of endeavor for profit or gain within the City of Whitehorse, including non-profit organizations and seasonal operations, is required to obtain a business license. Depending on the type and location of the business, a development permit may also be required.
Workers’ Compensation
Managed by: Workers Compensation Health and Safety Board
All employers working in the Yukon must establish and maintain an account with the Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB). Workers’ Comp is a prerequisite to obtaining a Yukon Wilderness Tourism Licence.
YESAA Assessments
Managed by: Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB)
YESAB is an independent arms-length entity responsible for implementing the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) legislation and regulations. The Act sets out a process to assess the environmental and socio-economic effects of projects and activities in the Yukon. In general, assessors will recommend whether the activities should proceed, proceed with terms and conditions, or not proceed. Yukon commercial tour operators are subject to assessments under YESAA.
Yukon Wilderness Tourism Licence
Managed by: Environment, Yukon Government
Anyone who takes clients into the Yukon wilderness for any kind of fee or reward must have a Yukon Wilderness Tourism Licence. The licence allows an operator to guide commercial wilderness trips on Yukon lands and waters outside national parks. The licence is valid from May 1 through April 30 every year.
