Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #06-071
March 30, 2006
Premier Fentie Tables 2006-07 Budget
WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon's 2006-07 Capital and Operations and Maintenance budget, totaling over $793 million, was tabled today in the Yukon Legislative Assembly by Premier Dennis Fentie.
"This budget continues our mandate commitment to build a vibrant economic future for Yukoners," Fentie said. "The 2006-07 budget confirms our commitment to restore investor confidence in our resource sector, enhance tourism, and to diversify and expand Yukon's economy."
The upcoming fiscal year's capital budget totals $191.7 million and the operations and maintenance budget totals $601.3 million.
"Our budget reflects a balanced vision for our territory based upon the fundamental principles of strong fiscal management, cooperative, collaborative government, a balance between the economy and the environment, and a strengthening of our social fabric," Fentie added.
The 2006-07 Yukon government budget is available on the government's website, http://www.gov.yk.ca/. Printed versions of the budget will also be available at the Inquiry Desk in the main administration building in Whitehorse, and at Territorial Agents and government offices in the communities.
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Attachment: Budget highlights
| Contact: Peter Carr Cabinet Communications (867) 667-8688 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca |
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
COMMUNITY SERVICES
• $8.7 M to complete the $31M Athletes Village.
• $200 K for Taku subdivision, Tagish, second access.
• $100 K for Carcross townsite second access.
• $50 K for Old Crow water well repairs.
• $4.4 M for Carmacks sewage treatment.
• $2.5 M for Dawson City sewage treatment.
• $320 K for fire hall upgrades in Carcross, Tagish and Golden Horn.
• $200 K for territory wide water and sewer improvements.
• $700 K for continuation of the Domestic Water Well Program.
• $250 K for Hamilton Boulevard extension planning, centre line, brushing work.
• $3.15 M for Mayo community centre.
• $1.2 M for Marsh Lake community centre.
• $700 K for Mount Sima Chalet project.
• $1 M for Firesmart fuel reduction safety projects.
• $100 K for EMO Rescue Boat Safety Program for Southern Lakes.
• $955 K for Motor Vehicles Branch computer system upgrade.
• $232 K to investigate options for Army Beach area potable water supply.
• $300 K to upgrade volunteer fire department fire tanker fleet.
• $2.25 M to complete Copper Ridge subdivision development.
• $7.97 M for Whitehorse / Mount Sima Road area subdivision development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• $6.6 M for five funding programs, including $3.3M for Community Development Fund projects.
• “Pathways to Prosperity” strategic planning exercise.
• $70 K to host F/P/T Northern Development Ministers Forum.
• $150 K to host International Film Festival.
• Dempster Corridor strategy economic development plan.
• $1.7M for completion of the Rail Feasibility Study.
• $77.5 K for Economic Forestry Assessment.
• $550 K for Northern Town filming.
• $61 K for Destination Carcross.
• $60 K for Small Business Opportunity Development Program, Raising Our Game.
EDUCATION
• $300 K for F.H. Collins industrial arts wing ventilation.
• $360 K for speed skating oval at F.H. Collins.
• $300 K for Vanier Catholic Secondary School roof repair.
• $6.775 M for Tantalus School in Carmacks.
• $305 K for school cultural program activities.
• $674 K for Education Reform.
• $200 K for Student Financial Grant indexing.
• $1.4M for Porter Creek Secondary School cafeteria expansion and renovations.
• $1.5 M for Community Training Funds.
ENERGY, MINES & RESOURCES
• Continuation of the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit.
• $708 K to establish Secretariat to manage new placer regulatory regime.
• $1.2 M to establish the Energy Solutions Centre as unit of EMR.
• Facilitating major mine permitting processes.
• Strategic action planning for Alaska Highway Pipeline.
• $100K to host the National Energy & Mines Ministers conference.
ENVIRONMENT
• $180 K for the Biophysical Land Classification and Mapping Project.
• $20 K for campground well water monitoring and testing.
• Species at Risk management plans.
• Chisana Caribou Recovery Project.
• Special Management Areas, parks and Habitat Protection Area planning.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICE
• $100 K for the Yukon Forum.
• $910 K for community-based language initiatives.
• $50 K for VGFN for protection of the habitat of Porcupine Caribou Herd.
• $7.311M for land claims funding.
• $2 M for Substance Abuse Action Plan initiatives.
FINANCE
• Submissions to the Federal Expert Panel on Equalization and Territorial Funding Formula and Provincial panels on Fiscal Imbalance.
• Auditor General’s compliments on Government of Yukon accounting practices.
• Four year financial projection for balanced budgets.
• Administration of $1 M Energy Rebate Program.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
• $29 M for Health Care Agreement: Territorial Health Access Fund and Territorial Medical Travel Fund.
• $750 K for community nursing station upgrades.
• $345 K for purchase of three ambulances.
• $100 K for Continuing Care Needs Assessment.
• Agreement with Canada Health Infoway.
• Additional physicians: 1 surgeon and 2 general practitioners.
• Increase to Pioneer Utility Grant.
HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS
• $34.75 M for Shakwak - Alaska Highway & Haines Road reconstruction projects.
• $5.3 M primarily for Alaska Highway Bridge rehabilitation projects.
• $2.1 M for Dempster Highway improvements.
• $1.65 M for South Campbell Highway improvements.
• $2.3 M for Atlin Road improvements.
• $5.28 M for Mobile Communications Solution (MOCs) including cell phone service.
• $290 K for implementation of Road/Weather Information System projects.
• $2.05 M for Whitehorse area Alaska Highway pavement rehabilitation.
• $1.6 M for renovations and expansion to Whitehorse Airport.
• $1.2 M for Whitehorse Airport parking lot improvements.
JUSTICE
• $1 M for development of new correctional infrastructure as per Consultation on Corrections Final Report.
• $130 K for Northern Institute of Justice feasibility study.
• Implementation of Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods legislation.
• Crystal Meth education series.
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
• $1.382 M for Investing in Public Service initiative.
• Grad Corps to facilitate the hiring of Yukon post-secondary students.
• Recognizing Public Service excellence.
• Healthy Employees and Workplaces Unit.
• Support for Professional Development and Technical Training for employees.
• Workplace Diversity Employment Office.
TOURISM AND CULTURE
• $1 M for Canada Winter Games national marketing campaign.
• $500 K for Tourism Co-operative Marketing Fund.
• $260 K for joint Yukon / Alaska marketing program with ATIA.
• $264 K for adventure marketing program with WTAY.
• $200 K for Yukon Convention Bureau tourism marketing program.
• $118 K for Tourism North Marketing Consortium program.
• $150 K for Yukon Quest media coverage and winter tourism marketing.
• $200 K for implementing the Yukon Brand Strategy.
• $250 K for website development and E-marketing.
• $50 K for Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous.
• $400 K for MacBride Museum expansion.
• $71 K for Rampart House Historic Site development.
• $70 K for Forty Mile Historic Site development.
• $200 K to assist Yukon museums to meet special project needs.
• $200 K to enhance cultural opportunities for CWG and Sport Fund.
WOMEN’S DIRECTORATE
• $100 K for Aboriginal women’s groups to support Aboriginal Women and Violence Initiative.
• $140 K for increased commitment to seven grassroots women’s organizations.
• $25 K for Women’s Health Forum.
• $19 K for public education about violence prevention and women’s equality issues.
• Establish First Nations Liaison Coordinator position.
• Leadership training and skills development for women.
• Public education campaign on violence against women and children.
YOUTH DIRECTORATE
• $200 K for youth programs in communities funded through a contribution to Crime Prevention Yukon.
• $355 K to fund 4 Whitehorse youth groups, including the Francophone youth group “Comité Espoir Jeunesse”.
YUKON HOUSING CORPORATION
• $7.35 M for Home Ownership Program.
• $2 M for Canada-Yukon Affordable Housing Agreement.
• $1.7 M to stimulate private sector housing development.
• $2.5 M for energy efficiency through the Home Repair Program.
• $100 K for Seniors Housing Management Fund.