It’s become clear to Yukoners that the Liberal government’s inflation measures have been largely ineffective in limiting the impacts of rising costs compared to other jurisdictions, the Yukon Party said Tuesday.

Numbers from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics (YBS) show Yukoners are dealing with the highest cost of living jump in the country.

According to January figures from the bureau, the Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse is up 7.9 per cent year-over-year.

“This is a full two percentage points higher than the Canadian average, and almost a full one per cent above the second-highest jurisdiction,” the party said in a statement.

“As well, Yukoners are dealing with a massive spike in fuel costs.

“In January, year-over-year, regular gas was up 8.5 per cent, diesel was up 36 per cent, and furnace oil shot up a whopping 44.3 per cent.

“The official Opposition first suggested suspending the territorial fuel tax last spring; however, the Liberals scoffed at the idea.”

According to the data, provinces that did scale back their fuel tax – Alberta, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador

– saw lower inflation than the national average, the party pointed out.

“Yukoners are continuing to get squeezed where it hurts the most – in the pocketbook,” said Community Services critic Patti McLeod.

“The Yukon Party official Opposition suggested several measures, and the Liberals responded by offering minimal rebates and refusing to take substantive action such as cutting the territorial fuel tax.

“We continue to hear from Yukoners about the high cost-of-living, and we call on the government to take measures that will ease the cost of living burden,” McLeod said.

Besides halting the collection of the territorial fuel tax on a temporary basis, the Yukon Party has proposed a number of other measures that can fit into the territory’s budget. These include:

Suspending collection of the carbon tax on home heating fuel as per a motion passed in the legislature last fall;

Doubling the amount of the Pioneer Utility Grant;

Increasing the amount claimed through the Home Owners Grant to a maximum of $1,000 for those eligible seniors and elders until inflation is over;

Scaling back the insurance tax to pre-2020 levels or scrapping it altogether; and

Improving permitting to address the firewood supply so market prices adjust downward.

Asked about the Yukon Party’s points, cabinet communications staff said Tuesday the government is moving the territory forward.

“We continue to invest in making life more affordable for Yukoners, and we are doing it responsibly,” the statement said.

“The Yukon is leading the nation in economic growth, population growth, reconciliation and universal childcare.

“We provided the $150 Inflation Relief Rebate to all residential and commercial customers in the territory. This rebate was expanded this fall.

“We also announced a number of other inflation relief measures, including a $50 per cord firewood rebate, and additional money for those most in need, including those receiving Social Assistance, the Pioneer Utility Grant and foster parents.”

The government also cut the small business tax rate to zero and doubled the medical travel subsidy, the statement noted.

“Minister of Finance Sandy Silver will be tabling the 2023-24 budget on Thursday, where Yukoners will hear more about how our government continues to put Yukoners first and address the global impacts of inflation.”