WHITEHORSE – In media reports airing this morning, Yukoners heard Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeod call for greater supports for aging seniors in Yukon communities. The Yukon Liberal Caucus notes that this is a significant departure from her previous support of centralizing seniors care in Whitehorse and the Yukon Party Caucus’ previous votes against investments that would allow seniors to age-in-place. The Yukon Liberal Caucus appreciates MLA McLeod’s change of heart and encourages her and her caucus colleagues to vote in support of Budget 2024-25 so that seniors in Watson Lake and all other Yukon communities can benefit from government investments in seniors’ care.
In 2015, the Yukon Party government of the day went full steam ahead on building a $146.6 million long-term care facility in Whitehorse’s Whistle Bend subdivision. The Yukon Party government at that time proposed a 300-bed facility despite the concerns of many seniors who compared it to a “warehouse”, and objected to the centralization of seniors’ care in Whitehorse, according to media reports at the time.
On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, the Yukon Legislative Assembly debated Motion No. 32, moved by former Yukon Liberal MLA for Copperbelt North Ted Adel, reading:
THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to create solutions to promote aging in place and a full spectrum of care by:
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- keeping the Whistle Bend continuing care development at 150 beds;
- working with Yukoners, health professionals and stakeholders to find solutions that offer alternatives and transitions between home care and fulltime continuing care; and
- providing community-based services which allow seniors to age in place, to the greatest extent possible.
At the conclusion of debate, a recorded vote occurred, with all Yukon Liberal and Yukon NDP MLAs voting in favour of the motion, and Yukon Party MLAs Stacey Hassard, Scott Kent, Geraldine Van Bibber, Brad Cathers, Patti McLeod, and Wade Istchenko voting against the motion.
Yukon Liberals believe that seniors and Elders deserve our respect and should be able to live safe, independent, and comfortable lives in their communities for as long as possible.
In 2020, the Yukon Liberal Government released the Aging in Place Action Plan to ensure that Yukoners can access supports in their communities. Our government is committed to the goals of positive aging, where older people age well and are healthy, connected, independent and respected. They should be able to do this regardless of age, income, or ability level.
In the 2022-23 budget, the Yukon Liberal government put forward $86.5 million in spending to support continuing care, home care, respite care, palliative care programs and community day programs for Yukoners in need of care. The Yukon Party voted against this spending.
The Yukon Party has voted against the construction of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation elders’ complex in Old Crow, the expansion of the health and wellness centre in Carcross, ongoing supports for the Watson Lake Signpost Seniors’ Association, the St. Elias Seniors Society, the Yukon Council on Aging, the Rural End of Life program, the Shine a Light on Dementia program, increases to quarterly payments to Yukon seniors who receive the Income Supplement, seniors’ supportive housing at Normandy Living, and other programs and supports offered through the Aging in Place Action Plan.
The Yukon Liberal Caucus hopes that MLA McLeod and all Yukon Party MLAs will vote in favour of Budget 2024-25, which contains increased health care and seniors’ supports.