Government of Yukon

Budget 2008-09

A message from the Premier

Dear Fellow Yukoners;

Yukoners enjoy a quality of life second to none in Canada. The Yukon Economy is growing and becoming more diversified. Progress is being made in addressing the challenges of climate change and Yukon is being viewed as a model in Canada of cooperative governance and strong fiscal management.

In the 2006 general election, Yukoners were presented with a renewed vision for the territory based on four major pillars:

The 2008-2009 Budget, like the previous budget, is enabling the Government of Yukon to implement initiatives in these four key areas, turning our vision into reality as we go about building Yukon’s future together.

See all 2008-2009 Budget documents.

Premier Dennis FentieDennis Fentie
Premier of Yukon

 

2008-09 Budget Highlights

Achieving a better quality of life for Yukoners involves improving the health, safety and socio-economic well being of Yukon families and their communities.

Quality of Life

  • Implementation of new education strategy, “New Horizons: Honouring Our Commitment to the Future” based on Education Reform Report
  • $104,000 to index the Student Financial Assistance Grant
  • $555,237 for development of a two-year Licensed Practical Nurse Program at Yukon College
  • $300,000 for pre-employment course at Yukon College in the heating, trades and Housing Maintenance Program
  • $6.67 million in 2008-2009, under Territorial Health Access Fund to improve community health services
  • $418,000 for Family Support Services to Children with Disabilities
  • $1.526 million for Pioneer Utility Grant
  • $6.3 million for child care to increase subsidies, number of parents eligible for subsidies and increase wages for child care staff
  • $245,000 for Journey Far Carver Program
  • $5.592 million for replacement of Whitehorse Correctional Centre
  • $960,000 this year to develop a 30 unit affordable, single parent family housing complex, particularly for single women with children
  • $1.25 million for upgrading municipal infrastructure as a result of Community Tour
  • $175,000 to develop Forty Mile as a major cultural heritage attraction in conjunction with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in
  • $568,000 for arts programming

A Pristine Environment

Protecting and preserving the territory’s pristine environment and its wildlife while adapting to the effects of climate change are of paramount importance to the Yukon Government.

  • $130,000 Climate Change Action Plan
  • Symposium held in February with over 80 delegates to map out next step on establishing a Yukon Research Centre of Excellence
  • $153,000 to continue a three-year project with the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council to determine climate change impacts on the Yukon River
  • $200,000 to commence a five-year project to research and develop climate change adaptations for Yukon communities
  • $505,000 for extension of fish, wildlife and habitat surveys
  • $428,000 to establish a program area to oversee identification, assessment and remediation activities
  • $345,000 for Tombstone Visitor Reception Centre

Diversified Private Sector Economy

The Yukon economy is growing along with the territory’s population. The Yukon government has been successful in attracting major mining investment in the territory as well as in marketing Yukon as a tourism destination. At the same time, small business, arts and culture, film and sound, and the IT sector are all contributing to the diversification of the territorial economy.

  • $140 million estimated investment in mining in 2007
  • $10 million for construction of hydro power line from Carmacks to Pelly
  • $329,000 to implement new placer regime
  • issuance of oil and gas exploration rights in Eagle Plains and Peel Plateau valued at $22 million
  • development of new Forest Resources Act
  • $8.3 million for major expansion of Whitehorse Air Terminal building and parking lot development
  • $180,000 to upgrade Carcross Visitor Information Centre
  • $3 million in Shakwak projects for construction of the Slims River Bridge
  • $11 million for reconstruction of Duke River Bridge
  • $5.5 million for pavement from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska
  • $31 million for reconstruction of southern portions of Campbell Highway over next three years
  • $1.696 million for mobile communications infrastructure for emergency responders and Yukon government users
  • $3.3 million for CDF

Good Governance

The Yukon government prides itself on being a good employer, promotes excellence in the public service, and practices co-operative governance at all levels with strong fiscal management.

  • $400,000 for the Recruitment Incentive Fund
  • $244,000 for a safe and healthy workplace
  • $200,000 as Yukon government’s contribution for Five Year Review of YESAA
  • $685,000 to support capacity development through the Governance Liaison and Capacity Development Branch
  • $7.155 million in Land Claims Funding
  • Nine Year Review Report on the Yukon First Nation Final and Self Government Agreements
  • $244 million for seven-year Building Canada Plan