Territory’s federal bonanza grows richer
Core federal funding for the Yukon will increase by 2.7 per cent for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Ottawa announced this morning.
Core federal funding for the Yukon will increase by 2.7 per cent for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Ottawa announced this morning.
The territory will receive $919 or $24 million more than last year under the formula financing arrangement with the federal government.
The Canada Social Transfer will remain at $14 million, and $38 million will flow under the Canada Health Transfer, up $1 million from this fiscal year.
The total federal support under the three transfer agreements will be $972 million, up 2.7 per cent from the $946 million received for the current 2016-17 fiscal year.
It amounts to $25,884 for each resident of the Yukon, compared to the per capita funding of $28,867 for the Northwest Territories and $42,055 in Nunavut,
In comparison, per capita funding for B.C. in the 2017-18 budget is earmarked at $1,388.
Ottawa released the figures today to coincide with the annual meeting in the capital of Canada’s Finance ministers.
Also meeting today are the health ministers from across the country.
Premier Sandy Silver is also the minister responsible for Finance. Health Minister Pauline Frost is in Ottawa as well.
Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau is under pressure to maintain a six per cent increase in the federal health transfer to the territories and provinces instead of the three per cent he has announced.
Cabinet spokeswoman Sunny Patch said this morning the figures are final with the exception of the health transfer dollars that may change depending on the outcome of the negotiations.
In addition to the three annual transfer payments, there are recoveries from Ottawa for a variety of programs, such as providing care and maintenance of the abandoned Faro mine and other type II mine sites.
For this fiscal year, additional recoveries from Ottawa were budgeted at $126 million.
The territorial budget delivered by former premier Darrell Pasloski last April was $1.39 billion, of which $156 million was raised by the Yukon government through territorial taxes and general revenues.
Patch said Silver is planning to convene the territorial legislature in January for a short session, but is not expected to roll out the 2017-18 territorial budget during the sitting.
Comments (12)
Up 10 Down 0
Jay on Dec 22, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Would be nice to see ordinary yukoners receive the money instead of all the useless dead weight layers of no need government employee waste.
Up 6 Down 1
Just a few slight clarifications to the discussion here on Dec 22, 2016 at 9:12 am
1] The starting salary for a Deputy Minister in the Yukon Government is $ 175,000. Not sure what it is for ADM's, nor how many DM's and ADM's there are.
2] Carbon pricing which may be in the form of a tax, will not come into effect until 2018.
3] Approximately 1/2 billion dollars will go to the payment of salaries, wages and benefits for government employees. That was the budget number in the 2016/2017 Pasloski budget.
4] A vast majority of the funding to Yukon First Nations comes directly from the Federal Government to FN Governments and is not included in the transfers being discussed.
Up 5 Down 4
ralpH on Dec 21, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Maybe a guaranteed wage supplement for those making 30 thousand or less would be a great way of using that federal largesse. Would cut down on buericrats needed to administer wasteful programs and all that loot would spent invigorating Yukon's economy. Yukon would be a great place to start that experiment. Only condition is if substance or physical abuse is evident funding gets cut off
Up 11 Down 0
Lost in the Yukon on Dec 20, 2016 at 10:28 pm
Dear Just Sayin ... what a great idea. I'll take my $28,000.00 however there are too many Directors, ADMs and Deputy Ministers making well over $100,000 a year to allow their gravy train to end.
Up 13 Down 2
QC on Dec 20, 2016 at 4:56 pm
How much of that "private sector" relies on either government funded projects or customers who work for the government to exist?
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Jason Stoll on Dec 20, 2016 at 2:42 pm
@Tom Stevens ... The GDP of the Territory in 2015 was $2.193 Billion. So over 50% of our economic activity is outside of YG spending and from that non-existent private sector economy which you mentioned. I bet you the contribution to Ottawa's economy as a percentage of GDP is larger than the Yukon's, but do we hear them whining about it? No we don't. I'm personally sick of the sentiment that we don't have a private sector economy when we clearly do have many successful businesses here in the Territory.
Up 16 Down 6
Tom Stevens on Dec 20, 2016 at 7:53 am
Wow, the Yukon got a raise, more money from the dreaded South to pay the way. I wonder if there will ever be thought of actually creating an economy and not having to forever be a welfare state? Or will those who enjoy the free ride, continue to bask in the glow of money not earned and then loudly claim fierce independence from those who have provided the fruit.
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Nike on Dec 20, 2016 at 12:53 am
Just a distraction so we don't notice the Libs aren't increasing healthcare funding.
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Just Say'in on Dec 20, 2016 at 12:45 am
That much for each man woman and child? If they didn't filter that through the Government and just gave me the Cheque I would be much better off,
and wouldn't have to work. Isn't sustainable but it is the Liberal way. Mother Government knows what is best, and will look after us. Sit back and pass the Dubie.
Up 17 Down 5
ProScience Greenie on Dec 20, 2016 at 12:14 am
Oink, oink - that's the sound of all the various Yukon pan-political old boys and girls clubs lining up at trough. Hopefully regular folks will be left with a few crumbs, minus 5% of course if it involves carbon.
Up 19 Down 7
jc on Dec 19, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Most of this money will go to appease the FN and Environmentalists of course. As a senior I don't expect any to go to the senior citizens who paid into the system all their lives. Go figure.
Up 20 Down 16
Tater on Dec 19, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Just a quick question, what is the justification for this increase? To cover the cost of the Carbon Tax maybe......