Yukon NDP’s bold vision shines through on Budget Day
March 2, 2023
Whitehorse, YT — Today’s budget highlighted one thing Yukoners already knew — the Yukon NDP’s bold and optimistic vision for the territory brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise uneventful budget.
“We have questions about the Liberals’ priorities. We’re seeing up to $2 million for golf course irrigation in Whitehorse, while only $1.4 million is budgeted for addressing the substance use emergency. It’s a clear indication of their priorities. I’m glad that the Confidence and Supply Agreement ensures that some of the money is going into the right places,” Yukon NDP Leader Kate White said.
Under the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CASA), the Yukon NDP negotiated a new walk-in clinic to be opened by next January and more money for the recruitment of healthcare professionals. The CASA also commits the Yukon Government to provide harm reduction initiatives such as a managed alcohol program, more availabilities at the Whitehorse detox centre, and direct support to Yukon First Nations for land-based healing programs are part of the commitments.
“The Yukon NDP is making sure that everyone has the health care they need and we’re building on the success of our previous harm reduction initiatives. A managed alcohol program and land-based healing programs will change peoples’ lives for the better, and we can’t wait to see them become a reality,” White added.
Another CASA commitment that should be reflected in today’s budget is to increase social assistance rates as a means of fighting inflation.
“It’s getting harder and harder to put food on the table. That’s why we wanted to give people a break. Increasing social assistance rates and the Yukon Child Benefit will put money into the pockets of folks who really need it right now. The government’s measures are weak at best, so I’m glad to see we’re making a difference for people who need it the most.” White continued.
For Yukon students, the CASA commits new money to recruit and retain rural educators, additional Educational Assistants and Learning Assistance Teachers, dedicated wellness counselors in every school and investing $1 million per year in mental health for youth.
“Successive governments have let our education system crumble. That’s why we negotiated to secure some real wins for kids and parents, like wellness counsellors in every school and more rural teachers. We can’t continue having teaching vacancies in every other school. It was high time to make some bold decisions about the future of our Yukon students and Yukon schools,” White said.
“Overall, the government has a lot of work to do this year. Yukoners expect the commitments made under CASA to happen as soon as possible, and we will hold the government to that.”
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