A cash infusion from the federal government will contribute to the territory’s health care services in mental health, home care and medical travel, among others areas.

On Wednesday afternoon, Yukon MP Larry Bagnell and Pauline Frost, the territorial minister of Health and Social Services, signed off on two agreements totalling more than $30 million for health care services.

The funding had been previously announced. Wednesday marked the signing of the agreements for the money.

A total of $5.2 million over five years will go to home care and mental health and addictions services.

Another $25.6 million over four years will be spent on medical travel and health system innovation.

The $5.2 million in targeted federal funding over five years is part of a 10-year federal financial commitment of approximately $11 million.

Meanwhile, the $25.6 million over four years to support health system innovation is the Yukon’s portion of the Territorial Health Investment Fund. That was renewed in the 2017 federal budget.

As it was noted by Bagnell and Frost, the funding for innovation could end up meaning less spending on medical travel. Improvements to technology will mean greater access to services without patients having to leave a community.

As Bagnell noted: “The innovation part will also help reduce that transportation (and) in a whole bunch of ways, improve the system, and that will not only provide better health care, but reduce the costs.”

The Yukon government recently signed a $25-million contract with Alkan Air for the continuation of the longstanding air ambulance service it has with the company.

Throughout Wednesday’s press conference, Bagnell and Frost stressed that the funding will address the unique needs of not only the North and the territory, but also individual communities.

Frost highlighted the improvements that are anticipated to come to the mental wellness hubs in the communities the government is creating.

“The existing mental wellness hubs will be improved to community-based mental health and addictions services for children and youth as well,” she said.

In a statement, federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas also highlighted the efforts for mental health services, noting: “Our government is committed to improving mental health services in our territory and to addressing the growing need for home and community care.

“This targeted federal funding will allow us to build on our efforts and will help us meet the diverse needs of all Yukon communities.”