Yukon College is getting an extra $1 million a year for its budgets.

Education Minister John Edzerza announced the extra cash Tuesday. The additional million takes the total for the main grant the territorial government gives the college up to $12.1 million.

The college has been calling for a boost in its basic operating grant for some time. The basic grant has not been increased by more than $400,000 in at least 12 years.

'This government recognizes the importance Yukon College plays in the Yukon territory,' Edzerza said in an interview Tuesday.

The grant will rise to $12.089 million in the 2004-05 fiscal year. It has been exactly $1 million less for the past two years.

Since 1996-97, the grant has been as low as $1 million. From 1991-92 to 1995-96, the amount ranged between $10.996 million and $10.1 million.

Once inflation is factored, the rate has actually been lower since 1996-97 than it was in the previous five years.

Edzerza promised the $1-million increase is not just a one-shot deal.

'That's going to stay in place as long as I'm in this office,' Edzerza said.

College president Sally Webber was unavailable to comment this morning on the announcement.

A press release from the college said officials are pleased with cabinet's decision. The statement indicates the money will mean stability for the college.

School officials have said recently that further staff and program cuts may have been necessary without extra money.

While the press release says the college's future is brighter, it does not say whether this eliminates any consideration of cuts.

Edzerza said there are no strings attached to this money.

'It's up to the college and the board to do what they need to do with it,' the minister said. 'I have all the confidence it will be well-managed and it will be put to good use.'

The opposition has been calling on the government to increase the funding since the Yukon Party took office 15 months ago.

'It's good news and I'm glad they finally listened,' NDP MLA Steve Cardiff said today.

Cardiff noted that since he became an MLA at the same time the Yukon Party took office in late 2002, he's repeatedly urged Edzerza to increase the funding.

Edzerza said adding to the grant has been a priority for him.

'Right from day one, I have been pursuing this,' said the minister.

'I don't know ... why it took so long,' Cardiff said.

Edzerza said that when the Yukon Party took office, it didn't know where the government was financially, but it has now worked that out and been able to add to the college's funding.

According to the minister, the college is important because it produces skilled people who go into the territory's workforce.

'This is all connected to economic development.'

Cardiff suggested the government create a formula for increasing the grants to factor in inflation and growth of the college, so it doesn't go years without a large increase, then need a big boost.

'I don't want to see it get to this point (again),' said Cardiff.

He does not know how such a formula would work.

Liberal Leader Pat Duncan also welcomed the news, but thinks it should be announced as part of the government's 2004-05 budget.

Duncan believes the government should have already reconvened the legislature, where Yukoners could see the territory's entire financial picture and not just positive items the Yukon Party wants to announce beforehand.

'Tell us the whole plan, not bits and pieces,' said Duncan.

The Liberal leader and former premier said if Yukoners saw the whole plan, they may think this is actually a low contribution to the college. But without the whole budget, nobody can know for sure, she pointed out.

Duncan believes the 'random' announcements of money made by the government are a sign 'they have more money than they know what to do with.'

Edzerza was asked why this was announced before the rest of the budget.

'I think it's good for people to know what's coming,' the minister said.

Premier and Finance Minister Dennis Fentie has yet to announce when he will have the legislature reconvened.

Traditionally, it opens for the spring in late February.