YT Government: 2019-20 Budget meets housing, health and education needs of a growing territory

Press Release

March 07, 2019

Premier and Finance Minister Sandy Silver has tabled the Government of Yukon’s 2019–20 Budget.

The Budget focuses on affordable housing, effective health and social services, quality education, and reliable community infrastructure. This includes $19 million to develop building lots in Whitehorse and rural communities in each of the next five years.

Work will continue on the Health and Social Services Comprehensive Review to find efficiencies to better deliver services to Yukoners.

Additionally, construction will begin on the French first language secondary school and planning will begin on a new elementary school in Whistle Bend to meet the needs of a growing student population.

For the second year in a row, a Five-Year Capital Plan is included with the Budget to offer Yukoners, First Nations and municipal governments and the private sector a clearer picture of capital projects and priorities to allow for better planning.

This budget prioritizes fiscally responsible planning and long-term thinking over large announcements. We remain focused on growing our vibrant economy, the health and wellbeing of Yukoners, improving access to housing, and investing in education to lead us towards a prosperous future.

Yukoners share an unwavering sense of community and a commitment to making the territory a better place for all residents. This budget reflects what we have heard from residents, as well as from our First Nations partners and municipal governments, and will help build a solid and sustainable foundation for our growing population.

Premier and Minister of Finance Sandy Silver

Quick Facts

• Yukon’s total budget for 2019–20 is $1.5 billion. Operating and maintenance expenses will be $1.2 billion. Capital spending remains stable at $288 million.
• The 2019–20 Main Estimates show an annual deficit of $5.9 million. The government continues to forecast a return to surplus in 2020–21 as a result of disciplined capital planning and a focus on efficiency of government services.
• The Government of Yukon will also table an Interim Supply Bill worth $315 million, which will fund operations and maintenance spending for the first two months of the 2019–20 fiscal year while the full year of spending authority is debated in the legislature. Of that amount, $266 million is for operations and maintenance spending and $49 million is for capital expenditures.
• The Government of Yukon will also table a Second Supplementary Estimates for the 2018–19 fiscal year, which includes up to $20 million to meet the demand for infrastructure and land development projects across the territory.

Contact

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Eric Clement
Communications, Finance
867-393-6482
eric.clement@gov.yk.ca

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