The Government of Canada signs nearly $86 million agreements with the Yukon Government

Wednesday, 13 March 2024 15:57

The Honourable Mark Holland and the Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee sining the $86 million agreements (Photo by Panebi Wilson)

Canadians want better access to health services, and securing these three agreements with the Yukon is a significant step in transforming the health care system

The Government of Canada has signed nearly $86 million agreements with the Yukon government to improve health care service in the Yukon.
Yesterday, the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada's Minister of Health and the Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services announced three agreements to invest a total amount of nearly $86 million to improve health care access and services in the Yukon.

Honourable Holland said in other to tackle the challenges facing the health system, there is a need for synergy between the federal government and the territorial government.

Through the Working Together Agreement, the Government of Canada will provide more than $23.8 million to support the Yukon's three-year action plan to deliver improvements to its health care system by 2026, including Improved access to family health services, to establish a new walk-in primary care clinic in Whitehorse, which is expected to help at least 1,500 additional patients annually, and to expand the delivery of mental health and addiction services and specialized care.

Through the Aging with Dignity Agreement, the Government of Canada will provide close to $12 million to support the Yukon's five-year action plan to help people living in the territory age with dignity close to home, with access to home care or care in a safe long-term care facility, including to support home care and client supports programs, to expand rural community home care to the entire territory, to hire personal support workers and nursing staff for nursing homes, and to improve the quality of long-term care in the territory.

Finally, the Yukon will receive additional support through the renewal of the Territorial Health Investment Fund (THIF), with a new grant agreement providing $50 million over five years. With this funding, the Yukon will make investments in innovative health care projects, including Implement Putting People First, the creation of a new health authority, help to recruit and retain health workers, and improving health workforce planning, and support Yukoners by continuing to improve Digital Health solutions.

According to the Honourable Mark Holland, Canadians want better access to health services, and securing these three agreements with the Yukon is a significant step in transforming the health care system, especially in supporting those who want to age at home, and the Yukon indigenous nations, Holland said.

Honourable Tracy-Anne McPhee, Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services speaking at the Whitehorse new walk-in clinic location which will provide essential health care services, said the almost $86 million will be spent to the benefit of Yukoners and will facilitate the expansion of existing unique program and initiatives.

The Working Together investment includes $25 billion for tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, a 5% Canada Health Transfer guarantee for the next five years and then rolled into the Canada Health Transfer base amounting to $17.5 billion over ten years and a one-time Canada Health Transfer $2 billion top-up to address to urgent needs of emergency rooms and pediatric hospitals delivered in June 2023.
Combined, these investments provide provinces and territories the flexibility to address the unique needs of their populations and geography, and accelerate health care system improvements.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Ground searches at two former Whitehorse residential school sites begin this week

WARNING: This article contains information that could be distressing to some readers.
Coroner's Inquest sees footage of lifeless body ignored for more than 12 hours

The on-site paramedic called the incident of Darla Skookum's death “bizarre” because she had obviously passed away many hours earlier.
How We Walk with the Land and Water holds two open houses

The open houses gave citizens and relations an opportunity to share their vision for the Southern Lakes Region
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter staff not trained for emergencies, inquest hears

Last week inquest heard Whitehorse emergency shelter staff members testifying that they were not trained for the emergencies that caused the deaths of four Yukon women.
Premier pledges to meet with Yukoners living in tents to help them find housing

Audio

Yukon NDP House Leader Lane Tredger describes Premier Ranj Pillai's commitment as a bluff; says Pillai is "out of touch."
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter saw a higher presence of drugs after the Connective took over

One staff member while testifying, said things changed for the worse when Connective took over, as they saw a higher presence of drugs.
Whitehorse Shelter has recorded 144 overdoses between 2020 and 2022

144 overdoses has happened at the shelter between 2020 and 2022. Three were at least fatal, including Cassandra Warville and Myranda Tizya-Charlie, on Jan. 19, 2022.
Whitehorse Emergency Shelter understaffed and staff lacked training - inquest reveals

They said at the time of the incident, there was no clear policy or training available to staff on how to deal with overdose incidents nether were they trained on how to monitor intoxicated guests.
Yukon’s legislature recognizes 40 years of programming by CHON-FM/NNBY

Audio

Tributes to CHON-FM include special mention of the late Rockin' Terry Carlick
Coroner’s Inquest into Whitehorse Emergency Shelter deaths begins in Whitehorse

Loud screaming was heard and many broke into tears in painful disbelief when the CCTV footage showed shelter staff dragging the women's lifeless bodies from the shower room.
The Whitehorse Star says goodbye after over a century of publication

One of the last locally owned newspapers in Canada is closing its doors after 124 years of serving Yukoners; thanks staff, advertisers, and readers for being part of its rich history.
City of Whitehorse tables new bylaw to discourage abandoning buildings

If introduced, the bylaw would make annual permits mandatory for buildings left vacant for more than a month and would require owners to safeguard the building from fire and other hazards, maintain insurance and carry out snow and ice removal.
Yukon Party renews its criticism of Yukon Hospital Corporation funding following CBC article.

Audio

Health Critic Brad Cathers quoted documents acquired by the public broadcaster through an Access to Information request, while Minister McPhee stands by the funding of the Hospital Corporation.
CHON-FM's Kaska-language coverage of hockey tournament gets national attention

You can hear CBC's national host interview Testloa Smith
Yukon Party criticizes the health minister's trip to Scotland

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee spent seven days in Scotland following several rural health centre closures and service reductions in Yukon communities. McPhee hasn't visited Watson Lake in-person since 2021.
Whitehorse RCMP arrests one suspected to be involed with Victim Services Office break-in

A search warrant by Police officers with Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section and General Duty officers was executed where Kyle McCormick was known to reside and recovered additional items also believed to be taken from the break-in.
Yukon Native Hockey Tournament returns to Whitehorse

The 44th Annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament will see 56 teams from the Yukon, Bc, and North West Terriotries attending one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Community space in the former cafeteria in Jim Smith Building now open

The community space situated on the ground floor of the Jim Smith Building, which is located at 2071 2nd Avenue in Whitehorse, will be open starting Monday, March 18th and will continue to welcome visitors for the next six and a half weeks
Break-in at Whitehorse Victim Services office under inverstigation

Confidential files and other items are believed to have been accessed and individuals who have obtained services or may have been referenced in victims’ files through Victim Services may be affected.
Yukon's RCMP records historic seizure of cocaine in Dawson City

This seizure of cocaine is the largest cocaine seizure in the Yukon to date.