Statement from Minister McPhee on securing nearly $86 million to improve health care in the Yukon

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:

“Yukoners deserve a health care system that provides coordinated, culturally safe and timely access to care. I am proud to announce that today, the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada signed bilateral agreements providing the Yukon with $86 million to expand primary health care services, to support long-term care, home care and community care, to respond to the Substance Use Health Emergency and to recruit and retain health care workers.

 “The Territorial Health Investment Fund agreement provides $50 million over the next five years to tackle immediate challenges and address long-term planning to improve the Yukon’s health care and social services system. The funding will help support initiatives under the health human resources strategy, released in December 2023, continue work on health system transformation and the recommendations of Putting People First and fund programs like medical travel. Today’s announcement includes an increase to the funds received by the Yukon under THIF, with the territory previously receiving $6.4 million per year since Fiscal Year 2017–18.

“The Government of Canada’s Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan includes a federal commitment of $23.8 million over three years to support the development of a health and social system that meets the needs of Yukoners. This funding will support the Whitehorse walk-in medical clinic and implement recommendations in the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy, such as expanding access to opioid treatment services, land-based healing funding, developing community wellness plans and opening the residential managed alcohol program. It will also help ensure Whitehorse’s Supervised Consumption Site is available to everyone who needs it, 365 days a year.

“Through the Aging with Dignity agreement, the Yukon will receive close to $12.0 million in funding over five years to support Yukoners so they can age in place and with dignity, close to home, with access to care in their home or community. This funding will enhance our ability to support Yukoners living in communities and support them to stay in their communities as they age. This funding will help the Yukon government expand rural community home care, hire personal support workers and nursing staff for care homes and improve the quality of long-term care through enhanced educational opportunities for health service providers.

“The unique nature of delivering health care in the Yukon means that health care here is more expensive than elsewhere in Canada. Our proposed 2024–25 Budget is comprehensive and reflects these challenges and our commitment to continue working towards a health and social system that Yukoners deserve. That is why, through Budget 2024–25, we are investing $594 million in operations and maintenance funding to support health and social services for Yukoners.

“This welcome funding from the Government of Canada will build on the significant resources in place to support a strong, resilient health and social system for all Yukoners.