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.

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

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