Order of Yukon will be territory's highest honour

Yukon is set to join the rest of Canada's provinces and territories with an award to recognize exemplary service — the Order of Yukon.

"I think it's appropriate to have an opportunity to really identify those significant contributions that Yukoners have made — dedication to their community, remarkable service to community," said Premier Darrell Pasloski.

The government is announcing the new award now in hopes of naming the first recipients next year, the 150th anniversary of Canada. Up to three people will be named each year.

Pasloski says a committee will be established to receive nominations and select recipients. He says the committee will likely be made up of prominent individuals, as well as regular Yukoners.

"It will be their very difficult job to determine who would be the people that would be most deserving of such a great award."

Yukon's commissioner will be the first person named to the Order, and will become Chancellor of the Order.

Pasloski says it hasn't been decided yet when to hand out the awards each year. He says Canada Day is a possibility, or Yukon's birthday, June 13.