Statement from Minister Streicker on rebates and funding programs available to Yukoners

Minister John Streicker has issued the following statement:

“I am pleased to take this opportunity to provide Yukoners with information about rebates and funding available to make life more affordable. These rebates and funding programs aim to support families, create healthier living environments and support the health and wellbeing of Yukoners.

“We’re supporting child care through the Yukon government’s universal child care program, which puts up to $8,400 back into the pockets of Yukon families each year. Our universal child care program, when combined with the subsidy program for lower income earners, means some families have no out-of-pocket expenses for child care. Additionally, teen parents continuing their education and grandparents with primary responsibility for their grandchildren receive free child care.

“The Yukon Dental Program provides access to dental care for those most in need. Eligible Yukoners can receive up to $1,300 in dental coverage annually for services such as cleanings, dental exams, fillings, x-rays, some dentures and more.

“We are supporting heating costs for seniors through the Pioneer Utility Grant and ensuring they can maintain safe and comfortable living environments throughout the winter months. In 2023, eligible recipients received up to $1,398 depending on their location, marital status and income level.

“Under the Our Clean Future strategy, we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and support Yukoners to move to energy efficient options for their homes and on the road.

Through our Good Energy Program, Yukoners can receive rebates to make their homes more energy efficient through retrofitting and heating upgrades. To date, we have issued rebates for 185 residential and commercial smart electric heating systems. We have rebated over 500 energy-efficient new homes since 2020, surpassing the Our Clean Future target of 500 rebates for net-zero energy-ready new homes by 2030. This includes rebates for Yukoners who are replacing inefficient clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators and ventless clothes dryers.

“Yukoners upgrading their windows can be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,800 per home.

There is an air sealing rebate for upgrading insulation, rebates for solar domestic hot-water heating systems, for installing new heat pump systems, for drain-water heat-recovery systems, heat-recovery ventilators and renewable energy systems.

“Good Energy Program rebates for Electric Vehicles, EV chargers and e-bikes are helping people reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the road – and saving them money in the process. For installing an EV charger at home, Yukoners can receive up to $1,500 per charger. And e-bike users can receive a rebate of up to $750 for a new electric bicycle, or up to $1,500 for a new electric cargo bicycle.

“These rebates support more than just individuals. The Good Energy program is returning 75 per cent of costs of level two chargers – designed for home and business use – and 90 per cent of costs of level two chargers for Yukon First Nations governments, corporations and municipalities.

“Our territory’s carbon rebate system is revenue neutral, returning all federal revenues to Yukoners – and then some. Yukoners receive higher rebates – on average – than they pay in carbon pricing, with a progressive pricing structure where low-income households benefit more than higher-income households.

“Whitehorse residents will receive $310 in 2024–25, and Yukoners living elsewhere in the territory will receive that plus an additional $62.

“We are encouraging businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making carbon rebates easier.

“We have simplified the rebate process for small mining businesses so that they receive the carbon rebate as a refundable tax credit on their tax returns. This means mining businesses no longer need to make a separate application for the rebate.

“These rebates and funding programs are some of the many that we have available to Yukoners.

“Through these funding supports, I hope Yukoners see how committed we are to invest in the health of Yukon families, businesses and the environment.”