As a somewhat contentious spring sitting wrapped up in the legislature Thursday, all was coming up roses in Premier Sandy Silver’s world.

Silver, who could charitably be called an eternal optimist, had a rather sunny and blue sky view of the proceedings as he scrummed with reporters.

One of the key highlights for him was seeing the amendments to the Child and Family Services Act passed, he said. He called that an example of the rapport his regime has developed with First Nations governments across the territory.

“It was very profound,” Silver said.

“We’ve co-developed the changes to this legislation with those First Nations governments.

“There is just so much work that is happening right now between government in the Yukon that is the envy of other places. We’re extremely proud of this legislation.”

The only time Silver deviated from his positive outlook was when he talked about the fractious relationship with the Official opposition Yukon Party.

“We have a job to do, and that’s to represent every single Yukoner. In my (Klondike) riding, I work very well with people who did not vote Liberal. That’s our job,” the premier said.

“I’m always willing to meet a political party halfway, but we don’t get that offer from the Yukon Party.

“There was complete disrespect, even taunting to go for fights out in the parking lot,” Silver said. “Yukoners deserve better, that’s for sure.

“I’m proud of the professionalism that was show by my ministers. I’m also very proud of the work down between (NDP Leader) Kate White and myself in the CASA agreement,” Silver said of the deal signed a year ago this week to keep the minority government in power.

“You know we will do what we can to uphold that agreement.”

Under more questions from reporters, Silver didn’t add much to the anecdote about the Yukon Party.

He simply said some of that party’s members had challenged his team to “meet them in the parking lot” after one testy question period.

“That’s the level of maturity we’re being hit with,” Silver said. “It’s absolutely unacceptable.”

While he praised the NDP to some degree, he did say, though, that he disagrees with the sentiment expressed frequently by NDP MLAs that the government “isn’t working fast enough.”

Silver called that an unrealistic approach, noting that changing legislation and policies takes time.

Silver said he’s noticed that spectators “pack the gallery for tributes” – but then flee as question period starts.

“No one wants to see that. They don’t want to see political arguments, they want to see political parties working together. Two of the three parties right now are working together.”

Silver’s positive attitude was continued in a statement from the government released later in the day.

“We are pleased to pass another surplus budget that will improve the lives of Yukoners and build a stronger, more inclusive territory for generations to come,” it said.

“These investments will help ensure all Yukoners benefit from our territory’s strong economic growth.

“We are making life more affordable for Yukon families by making record investments in child care and early learning initiatives as well as housing and lot development across the territory.

“We also continue to improve the Yukon’s health and social services system as we implement the Putting People First recommendations.

“Further investments in renewable energy projects and infrastructure throughout the territory will advance our climate change goals while supporting our green economy and building resilient communities.”

Silver told reporters “this budget is not stale, it has record investments for many initiatives.”

In the news release, the government stated, “The 2022-23 budget shows a surplus of $39.5 million and a total of $1.97 billion in spending. This includes a record capital budget of $546.5 million for the territory’s roads, buildings, bridges and airports.

“These investments will bring benefits to Yukoners in every community and help support the territory’s growing economy.”

Budget highlights, the statement noted, include more than $26 million in lot development in Whitehorse and in communities “to help ensure that all Yukoners have access to an affordable, safe place they can call home. 

“The budget also includes $17 million for affordable community housing and more than $11 million in incentives for residential construction.”

The release emphasize more highlights.

“The budget also includes $80.3 million to address the ongoing climate emergency and deliver on commitments outlined in Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy.

“This funding is critical as the territory continues to address a climate emergency and work to reduce its emissions, shift to affordable renewable energy and build a strong green economy.”

An allocation of $15 million will support the Atlin hydro expansion project as part of a three-year, $50-million commitment, the government noted.

“The project will bring approximately 8.5 additional megawatts into the Yukon’s grid, enough electricity to power about 3,750 Yukon homes each year.”

Several pieces of legislation received assent, including:

• Act to Amend the Assessment and Taxation Act and the Municipal Act (2021). The changes expand the definition of local improvements to include energy-efficiency retrofits in the act.

The amendments enable the creation of the Better Building Program, which can provide loans up to $50,000 for home energy retrofits and up to $100,000 for business energy retrofits.

• Income Tax Amendments Act (2022), which includes changes that align the Income Tax Act with its federal equivalent and modernizes it. There are no tax increases nor new taxes.

• Act to Amend the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (2022). The amendment will support a review of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act in 2023.

• Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act, 2017 (2022). The changes will allow the Law Society of Yukon to permit out-of-territory corporations to practise law here, “expanding access to justice for Yukoners,” the government said.

See related coverage and letter.