FOR RELEASE     #05-079
March 24, 2005

WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon's Capital and Operations and Maintenance budget, totaling over $784 million, is being tabled today in the Yukon Legislative Assembly by Premier Dennis Fentie.

"We are continuing to build on the financial foundation we established in the previous fiscal year," Fentie said. "Building a sustainable and competitive Yukon economy; fostering our government-to-government relationships and building partnerships with First Nations; and continuing to build healthy communities remain our focus for 2005/06."

The upcoming fiscal year's capital budget totals $206.4 million and the operations and maintenance budget totals $577.6 million.

"This budget will serve in continuing the hard work of this government while shaping the economic and social course of the Yukon over the next year," Fentie added. "We will remain on the road to fulfilling our commitments while keeping the territory’s fiscal house in order."

The 2005/06 Yukon government budget is available on the government's Web site, http://www.gov.yk.ca/ or printed versions are available at the Inquiry Centre in the main administration building in Whitehorse or at Territorial Agents and government offices in the communities.

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Attachment: Budget Highlights

Contact:
Peter Carr
Cabinet Communications Advisor
(867) 667-8688
peter.carr@gov.yk.ca

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

COMMUNITY SERVICES

• $1 M to upgrade Teslin arena and install ice plant.
• $450 K to complete community hall in Ross River.
• $100 K for stabilizing Mayo dyke.
• $300 K for stabilizing Porcupine River bank in Old Crow.
• $100 K for walking bridge over Pelly River near Ross River.
• $500 K for KIAC in Dawson City.
• $2 M for Carmacks sewage treatment.
• $100 K to complete last phase of $3.9 M Carcross sewage treatment.
• $1.2 M for a new multi-celled lagoon just south of Burwash Landing to replace existing facility in Destruction Bay.
• $1.5 M for sewage treatment in Dawson City.
• $32 M in MRIF over 4 years.
• $250 K to complete lot development in Haines Junction.
• $1 M for Marwell trunk upgrade.
• $300 K for Hamilton Boulevard pump house upgrade.
• $300 K to complete Hamilton Boulevard improvements.
• $680 K Affordable Housing Agreement under Yukon Housing Corporation.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Development of a Rural Economic Development Strategy.
• $1 M Enterprise Trade Fund.
• $500 K Regional Economic Development Program.
• $1.5 M Strategic Industries Development Program.
• $3.523 M for CDF.
• MOU with CTFN and WP&YR on “Destination Carcross.”
• $715 K for Film & Sound Incentive Programs.
• $250 K for Technology Innovation Centre and Technology Partnerships.
• $300 K for Dana Naye Ventures Business Development Program.

EDUCATION

• $5.4 M for Tantalus School in Carmacks.
• $2.65 M for Porter Creek Secondary School cafeteria expansion and renovations.
• $2.415 M for Teslin School renovations.
• $800 K for heat pump for Vanier Catholic Secondary School.
• $400 K for ventilation system for Jack Hulland Elementary School.
• $1.5 M for Community Training Funds.
• $100 K to index Student Grant.
• Opening of Individual Learning Centre.
• $100 K for new Yukon Literacy Strategy.
• $300 K for Phase I expansion of full-day kindergarten.
• $72 K for First Nation language instructor trainees.
• $185 K for expansion of late French Immersion to Grade 6 and 7.
• $794 K to undertake Education Reform.

ENERGY, MINES & RESOURCES

• Mining exploration expected to top $30 M.
• Extension of Yukon Mineral Exploration Tax Credit.
• Integrated Resource Management process being utilized for 2 mining projects.
• Development of new framework for Yukon Placer Authorization.
• $11.9 M for Type II mine site reclamation.
• Drilling in Eagle Plains and Kotaneelee.
• Intervention in NEB hearings on Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.
• $200 K to fund Aboriginal Pipeline Coalition.

ENVIRONMENT

• Support for VGFN in protecting critical habitat of Porcupine Caribou Herd.
• Hiring of a Tombstone Liaison/Tour Manager.
• Yukon Queen II Research Study on Fish Mortality.
• Yukon Boreal Forest Monitoring Project.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICE

• $100 K for Yukon Forum on Government to Government Relationships with First Nations.
• $150 K for KDFN Traditional Use Study.
• $330 K to sponsor three Whitehorse youth groups.
• $200 K for youth programs in communities.

FINANCE

• Negotiation of new Territorial Formula Financing arrangement.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

• $10.4 M for multi-level care facilities in Dawson City and Watson Lake.
• $100 K for Child Care Services development.
• $809 K for new Group Home for high-risk adolescents.
• $660 K for Yukon Hospital Corporation equipment.
• $225 K for purchase of 2 new ambulances.
• $209 K for Ambulance Services equipment.
• $171 K for increased honorarium, training, clothing and ambulance maintenance in communities.
• Coordination of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Summit with ECO and Justice.
• Continuing Focus on FASD.
• $5.3 M per year dedicated to Child Care.
• $609 K for Children’s Act Review.

HIGHWAY AND PUBLIC WORKS

• $72 M for capital projects.
• $5 M for planning replacement of mobile radio systems.
• $5.8 M for Information Technology sector.
• $24.45 M for Shakwak Highway Projects.
• $10.3 M for upgrading of North Alaska Highway, Whitehorse to Haines Junction.
• $2.75 M for Campbell Highway upgrading.
• $1 M for Dempster Highway.
• $400 K for Top of the World Highway.
• $320 K for Tagish Road.
• $300 K for Klondike Highway.
• $300 K for Rural Road Upgrading Program.
• $100 K for Alaska Highway Intersection in Whitehorse.
• $1.1 M for other roads such as Dome Road and Takhini Hot Springs Road.
• $2 M for pavement rehabilitation.
• $4 M for bridge work.
• $4 M for Old Crow Airport terminal.
• $2.3 M for Whitehorse Airport terminal upgrading.

JUSTICE

• $633 K for Consultation on Corrections Project.
• $174 K for Mental Health Services at WCC.
• $120 K for an Elders and First Nations Cultural Program at WCC.
• $35 K to build a shop for Trades Program at WCC.
• $100 K for intensive bail supervision project.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

• $1.382 M for implementing a new 5 part initiative, “Investing in Public Service: Serving Yukon People”.
• $1.065 M for Workplace Diversity Employment Office, a $400 K increase, for First Nation Training Corps and a new Training and Work Experience Program for the disabled.

TOURISM AND CULTURE

• $500 K for Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund.
• $350 K for Alaska Highway Scenic Drives Marketing Campaign.
• $150 K for Yukon Tourism Brand Strategy.
• $124.5 K for FAM Tours.
• $140 K for touryukon.com website.
• $30 K for Yukon First Nations Contemporary Art Exhibit in Zurich.
• $150 K increase in Yukon Arts Centre’s annual core budget.
• $200 K for Decade of Sport and Culture.
• $50 K for Ice Patch research.
• $22 M for waterfront development in Whitehorse and Carcross over next 3 years.

WOMEN’S DIRECTORATE

• $60 K for a First Nations Liaison Worker.
• $47 K for a new Self-Advocacy Training Program for low income women.
• $100 K for Aboriginal Women and Violence Prevention Funding.