January 11, 2024 – Whitehorse, YT – On January 14, the Yukon Liberal Caucus is celebrating the first anniversary of Ranj Pillai’s leadership and the territory’s successes following his first year as Premier.
“I’m honoured by the trust that Yukoners and Yukon Liberal Party members have placed in me to lead the territory,” said Ranj Pillai, MLA for Porter Creek South, on the anniversary of his swearing in as Premier.
MAKING LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE
- The Yukon Liberal Government launched the Yukon Dental Program in January 2023, providing $1,300 per year in dental benefits to Yukoners without dental coverage.
- Starting in July 2024, the remote supplement for Yukoners living outside of Whitehorse will double from 10% to 20% on all quarterly payments, in addition to the base carbon rebate. This is part of the Yukon Liberal Government’s carbon rebate program, which continues to return more, on average, to Yukoners than individuals and businesses pay.
- Launching the seventh intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund, increasing the number of new, affordable housing units in the territory. The sixth intake funded the construction of 159 new affordable, energy-efficient homes.
- Extending the $150 Inflation Relief Rebate for the fourth time to reduce the impacts that inflation continues to have on Yukoners. This rebate is in addition to the existing Interim Electrical Rebate for residential customers.
BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
- Increasing funding to the Yukon’s eight municipalities by 10.3%.
- The Yukon Liberal Government opened a walk-in clinic in downtown Whitehorse in December 2023. Yukoners can call for a same-day appointment or show up in person to see a doctor for non-emergency treatment.
- Providing the Yukon Hospital Corporation (YHC) with a $17 million mid-year increase, in addition to core funding, ensuring Yukoners can continue to access health services they need.
- The Yukon Liberal Government is working with downtown Whitehorse businesses, residents, and service providers to ensure downtown Whitehorse remains a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.
- A Yukon-based physician recently joined the Santé Constellation Health Centre, reflecting the Yukon Liberal Government’s commitment to increasing access to primary health care.
- Releasing a Health Human Resources Strategy to better ensure Yukoners have access to the health care services they need. The strategy is a coordinated and informed roadmap to achieve our goal of increasing and supporting the Yukon’s current and future health workforce that was endorsed by the Yukon Medical Association, Yukon Hospital Corporation, Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and Yukon University.
- Securing up to $16.4 million in federal investment – which will be cost-matched by the Government of Yukon – on the National Acton Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
- Progress is on track to open the Whistle Bend Elementary School in August 2024, the first new elementary school to be built in Whitehorse in over 20 years.
- In October, the Yukon Liberal Government launched a five-year Innovation Strategy to drive investment, grow innovation, and diversify the economy in the territory.
- Making our voting system more equitable by launching an Electoral District Boundaries Commission in advance of the next general election.
- Releasing a strategic framework for French-language services, focused on strengthening capacity in health care and justice.
- Re-opening the airport restaurant in the main terminal of the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport and making vital main runway improvements.
ADVANCING RECONCILIATION
- Co-hosting the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa alongside Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN) Grand Chief Peter Johnston to advance common priorities including affordable housing, homelessness, land use planning, emergency preparedness, salmon stocks, health and mental wellness, and language revitalization.
- Signing a trilateral Letter of Intent with the Council of Yukon First Nations and the Government of Canada to confirm all parties’ commitment to work collectively toward the construction and operation of a Yukon First Nations-led Healing Centre.
- Supporting the work of the Residential Schools and Missing Children Project and recognizing the significant and immeasurable impact of the initial findings of their investigation at the former site of the Chooutla Indian Residential School findings on Yukon First Nations.
- Launching a Yukon First Nations Land-Based Healing Fund aimed at enhancing healing and wellness by connecting to traditional on-the-land practices. The Fund will be administered by CYFN.
