Revised - The Yukon government has enriched several programs “that will put more money in the pockets of Yukoners who are most affected by global inflation,” it said Tuesday.

The new measures focus on providing support to low-income Yukoners, seniors, social assistance recipients and caregivers of children.

These plans include:

a one-time $150 payment to social assistance recipients;

a one-time payment of $150 to Yukon Seniors Income Supplement recipients;

a one-time 10 per cent additional payment to Pioneer Utility Grant recipients;

a six-month extension of $500 per month to caregivers of children in out-of-home care; and

$100,000 to Food Network Yukon to continue to support food security across the territory.

Top-ups for Yukon social assistance and Yukon Seniors Income Supplement recipients will be provided with November benefit payments.

These payments are in addition to the annual rate adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index.

The increase to the Pioneer Utility Grant will be provided in February 2023, once the 2022 Pioneer Utility Grant is calculated.

The additional monthly payments to caregivers of children will continue until March 2023.

“Inflation is affecting people around the world, including here in the Yukon,” said Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“These new measures will provide some financial relief during a challenging time for many low-income Yukoners.

“We will continue to work with community partners to help find ways to provide support to Yukon families, seniors and other Yukoners who need support the most.

There are currently 870 households in the Yukon receiving social assistance, consisting of 1,222 individuals.

There are 1,344 recipients of Yukon Seniors Income Supplement. Meanwhile, 2,146 households receive the Pioneer Utility Grant.

The Yukon Bureau of Statistics calculated a 5.7 per cent increase to the Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse for Sept. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2022.

The Yukon Party said today the Liberals’ “tardy measures” short-change elders and seniors. It cited the 10-per-cent increase to the Pioneer Utility Grant.

“At the posted March 2022 rates, this only amounts to an additional $117.30 in Whitehorse or $125.70 for residents living outside of Whitehorse,” the party said.

“This is in stark contrast to the Yukon Party’s suggested doubling of the PUG payment to $1,173 for Whitehorse, and $1,257 for rural Yukon.

“If the PUG increase were actioned this past spring, when it was first raised, seniors would have realized the benefit before winter.”

Money left over for basic living expenses is dwindling for Yukoners on fixed incomes because of skyrocketing prices for vehicle fuel, groceries and services, the party added.

“Home heating fuel promises to be a challenge this coming winter due to the Liberals’ mishandling of fuelwood and the increase of the carbon tax on home heating fuel this past April 1.”

Last April, the Yukon Party highlighted how the budget “was already out-of-date and ignored the inflation crisis,” said Watson Lake MLA Patti McLeod.

“We suggested the government help ease the inflation crunch by doubling the amount of the Pioneer Utility Grant, and increasing the amount claimed through the Home Owners Grant to a maximum of $1,000 for those eligible seniors and elders until the inflation crisis is over.”

After months of requests for action, she added, the Yukon Party “is relieved that the Liberal government has finally admitted that the rising cost of living is having serious consequences for Yukoners and announced some initiatives to address the issue.

“Yukoners want a government that will take action and provide a plan to make life more affordable,” McLeod added.

NDP Leader Kate White held a news conference this morning to propose other ideas for helping Yukoners cope financially. See coverage in Friday’s Star.