Photo by Whitehorse Star

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell

MP announces almost $100 million for projects

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell announced $98 million in federal funding Wednesday to support 16 projects across the Yukon.

By Chuck Tobin on September 6, 2019

Yukon MP Larry Bagnell announced $98 million in federal funding Wednesday to support 16 projects across the Yukon.

Projects vary from $2.6 million for a new skateboard park in Whitehorse to $18.5 million for a new community services building for the Teslin Tlingit Council.

There is $34.7 million to retrofit several government buildings around the territory.

“As you know, so many people are agitating to cut greenhouse gas emissions,” Bagnell said in an interview this morning.

“This will cut so much, it will be a major contribution to reducing fossil fuels in the Yukon.”

Bagnell said these funding arrangements have been in the works for a year or more.

That the announcement came out of Ottawa late Wednesday – fewer than two months ahead of the federal election – was not his doing, he said.

Bagnell said the money is coming from federal programs to support infrastructure projects.

Most of the projects, he explained, are based on the standard funding arrangements, with Ottawa contributing 75 per cent of the cost and the Yukon government putting up 25 per cent.

In the case of the community service building in Teslin, for instance, the Yukon government will be putting in $6.2 million and the Teslin Tlingit Council is contributing $75,000, Bagnell said.

The funding announcement also includes $2.1 million to replace the main building at the Robert Service Campground owned by the City of Whitehorse.

The city’s five-year capital plan identifies $165,000 to be spent this year on the project with $2 million to be spent next year.

Other projects announced by Bagnell on Wednesday include:

• $3.1 million for improvement to boat launches across the Yukon;

• $8.9 million for a new public works building in Carmacks to house the firehall and emergency services;

• $337,500 for an energy retrofit for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations administration building in Haines Junction;

• $7 million for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations to extend municipal infrastructure;

• $2.6 million for development in Dawson City’s north end;

• $1.3 million to replace the Faro reservoir and provide a backup power unit;

• $375,000 for upgrades to the Little Salmon-Carmacks public works facilities;

• $4.1 million for a firehall in Mayo;

• $225,000 for upgrades to Mayo’s public works facilities;

• $2.3 million for a new public works facility in Old Crow;

• $2.7 for upgrades to the arena in Mayo; and

• $7.5 million for a new public works and firehall building Watson Lake.

Comments (45)

Up 2 Down 0

Juniper Jackson on Sep 13, 2019 at 9:55 am

The Liberals, asking for more than we can give.. Trudeau said this to a one legged soldier...to the people in Grassy Knolls F.N. protested lack of attention to high amounts of mercury, leading to death, and Mr. Trudeau said.. thank you for your donation..https://globalnews.ca/news/5104937/justin-trudeau-protester-liberal-fundraiser/ What he didn't say? He gave 10 million dollars to a terrorist, Khadr, ON JULY 4th. This man killed and maimed American's and Trudeau blocked them from suing Khadr for any of that money. July 4th. Maybe he said a lot as our relationship with the US went into the sewer, or maybe no, apparently only Germany and France like Mr. Trudeau. India ..dare I mention New Delhi?

I could go on for a long time. There are a lot of reasons to take Trudeau out of office. The major one being we do not have an ethical, respected leader, or a Cabinet that could advise him appropriately. Our children and our grandchildren are going to feel the pinch.. the millennial's are already feeling the pinch, living on credit cards, remortgaging their homes, moving in with parents, and stealing. Shoplifting at an all time high. Trudeau has us 1.4 trillion dollars in debt, with less than 26 million taxpayers.. only 30% of that is held in Canada. World Banks and Foreign Nationals hold the rest.. what happens to Canada when they call in those loans? We are already borrowing from one bank to pay JUST the interest http://www.generationscrewed.ca/how-screwed-are-you/explained--government-debt/
We are forking out a billion dollars a month just in interest. How long does anyone think we can continue to do that with Trudeau shutting down business left and right. Hard to tell about our job situation as wordsmithing is at play and it's no longer lost X number of jobs. But, it's now referred to as job vacancies. I don't have the time to extract month by month numbers. In any case, we are lucky here in the Yukon, but it's not because of the government, but rather the 'sort' of person that lives here and stays here..

How is any of that money going to be paid back? Trudeau can not repair the damage he has done to our international image. He has failed to direct the business of the country, but has provided fodder for the late night comedians.

Up 0 Down 3

Harry K. on Sep 12, 2019 at 4:51 pm

Well you know, love em or hate em, the Liberals do get things done.

Up 2 Down 18

What alternative is there to Liberal on Sep 12, 2019 at 12:30 pm

Uuuum ms. drum, we have covered this several times now. I am repeating myself but, like the Neo Cons did in the last federal election??

Up 19 Down 2

drum on Sep 11, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Not Government money, Taxpayers money that the Liberals are using to buy votes.

Up 6 Down 9

Allan Stanley on Sep 11, 2019 at 5:18 pm

Wilf Carter has been whining every chance he gets since he got 163 votes in the last Mayoral election.
We're just bloody tired of it , Max.

Up 11 Down 12

Max Mack on Sep 11, 2019 at 2:07 pm

@Dean LaRue
Come on, Dean. If you don't like reading Wilf's comments, then don't read them. It's that simple. Yeah, Wilf likes to toot his own horn. But, so what?

Up 10 Down 20

stephen on Sep 11, 2019 at 1:01 pm

As usual the Cons will attack the Libs for spending just before an election, but tend to be silent when its on the other foot. What a joke most of you are for your hypocrisy. If it was Sheer you would all be silent and remember if you look at history at the federal level it's the Cons who have created the most debt.

You sound like a bunch of babies.
I don't like any party that uses my money to try and buy my vote. The smart thing would be to say I don't care which party is in power only spend the money on what is needed not what is wanted.

Up 9 Down 14

Dean LaRue on Sep 11, 2019 at 10:42 am

HMMMMM - several typically vacuous posts from Wilf Carter
didn't know that he was running in the upcoming election

For the Rhinoceros Party this time ?

Up 12 Down 8

Bad Mojo on Sep 11, 2019 at 12:09 am

In response to Liberal Fairness: There is no sense in which liberalism can be defined as fair. Liberalism is by necessity of its internecine voracity a system of infinite regression. It is not sustainable beyond the the subjective whimsies of an adherent. As an illustrative example your submission is a wonderful demonstration of the liberal fallacy - beautifully done. The emphasis you give to the reductio absurdum is brilliant - How to win through feelings!

Up 22 Down 4

Tater on Sep 10, 2019 at 3:54 pm

"Bagnell said the money is coming from federal programs to support infrastructure projects." IT'S TAXPAYERS MONEY, and incidentally, money that our grandchildren will be paying for. ($30,000,000,000 deficit this year)

Up 9 Down 44

Patti Eyre on Sep 10, 2019 at 10:01 am

So much good has come from the last 4 years under the incredible leadership of the liberal government, long live peace, prosperity and the pursuit of happiness! I'm voting red. all. the. way.

Up 32 Down 6

Mr M on Sep 10, 2019 at 9:06 am

Can you say Election year. HaHaHa makes me sick at all the promises If they (Liberals) do get back in let see how many promises are kept. Maybe they will forget that they promised all of this BS.

Up 34 Down 9

Dave on Sep 9, 2019 at 4:13 pm

Across Canada just in August alone the Liberals pledged 12.8 billion dollars, thats’s 12,800,000,000 in taxpayer money trying to buy their way back into office. I wonder if Canadians can be bought? It’s a lot of money, a lot of new debt and doesn’t include all the funding promises made prior to August.

Up 34 Down 6

Put an X in the proper slot! on Sep 9, 2019 at 3:49 pm

Dear Larry, and Sandy;
"Both of your Liberal Governments, are like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other."
I only hope voters do the fiscally responsible thing come election time.

Up 9 Down 34

Liberal for fairness on Sep 9, 2019 at 2:07 pm

As one of the few public sites that still allows the few neo cons out there to dump on minorities, I don't expect to have many that agree with me or give me a thumbs up.
What gives me hope for a better future is, a federal liberal and territorial liberal government. I have children that are working for a more just world and they have many friends that feel the same way.
Can you say that? I know you think your psycho babble will impress or intimidate, I highly doubt that is the reality.

Up 11 Down 3

They forgot the College... on Sep 9, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Nothing for YukU?

Up 35 Down 8

Bad Mojo on Sep 8, 2019 at 11:26 pm

To the idea that “Liberal is the only way to go...” - When people assert absolutisms it is generally a clear indication that they have no idea what they are talking about or for that matter why they are talking about it.

It seems rather absurd to hold that diversity is your strength and then suggest except for this and that diversity and only if it fits with this diversity. Not only does the concept of diversity sound stupid on its face but it requires the capacity for endless returns. It is a system that has no ends and it is quite literally the manifestation of Hobbes war of all against all. Your rights groups against those rights groups for resource supremacy.

This is really the end game of liberalism - equality of outcome for all. This is also a bad idea. We have seen its repeated failures. Diversity is strongest when there are differential outcomes not the same ones.

Up 20 Down 50

Liberal is the only way to go. on Sep 8, 2019 at 11:45 am

Ha ha, makes me laugh all the neo cons got their panties in a knot because the Liberals are doing what they would do. Not a peep out of them when what's his name was throwing funding around before the election. Short or no memories??

Up 23 Down 6

Josey Wales on Sep 8, 2019 at 10:31 am

Gee...and hmmmm....BnR, will ya look at that eh?
When ya look at the feedback for our participation, like looking at a mirror image...virtually the same but opposite.
Brings to mind the crocodile and the zebra, one taking a drink sees themselves but so so much is not seen due to the distractions of self worship.
Lately you and I have been participating and not too, too far apart.
Today not so much, and that is okay.
I suggest strongly you understand this,
Everything allegedly given, is taken from someone else.
Hence the cycle we are absolutely stuck in.
Not suggesting you are a spatially unaware zebra, nor I a salty.
Merely suggesting that post underneath mine, breeds zebras for salties to feed on.
Do not buy it? Go downtown and count the chins on folks living in the streets, the folks activating the fuel pumps for you, the folks that are constructing all these facades...then compare that observation with our ruling classes, the sycophants of said class and their minions.
Even Jeff Healey could see who the crocs are and all the zebras they feed on.
Please BnR, mind not if you loathe me and my participation...I do mind if you lead others for a drink without factoring all the ruling class predators that feed so so well up here in the Serengeti of tax dollars.
Clearly the “seasonal” rains are alleged to be here, as the great migration to the election watering hole...has begun.
Drink only what you need too, the rest is pure gluttony

Up 43 Down 6

Doug Martens on Sep 8, 2019 at 8:33 am

As anyone who is paying attention is aware, the contracting situation is very flawed, with our overlords sending the contracts in the direction of their favs by making the requirements so stringent that only their chosen can comply. In addition, all of these projects are grotesquely overpriced and many are useless and even counterproductive, benefiting only the contractors at the expense of all taxpayers. When will this disservice ever end?

Up 18 Down 38

BnR on Sep 8, 2019 at 7:16 am

Josey, you identify as an attack helicopter?
What the.......
Get help man.
Everyone’s bashing Bagnell, but I bet you’d all be just fine if it was a Conservative MP spreading the cash around, so please, enough with the hypocrisy. Or do you want the Feds to just turn off the tap? No more 1.3 billion in transfer payments, but hey, you’ll prove a point?
What a bunch of complaining, entitled whiners.

Up 22 Down 10

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 11:29 pm

Yukoners, I love the Yukon and its people and I want to see it successful for all of us. Wilf Carter

Up 33 Down 10

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:58 pm

Liberal government promised anywhere from $2200 to $3200 increase in take home pay. How many Yukoners has seen an increase in their take home pay?

Up 35 Down 9

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:56 pm

The real cost of living in Yukon has gone up by up by somewhere between 15% and 18%. Not inflation because it's already known that liberals changed the numbers to make things look better than it really is. So we pay $1.42 gasoline a Liter and in Edmonton it 92 cents a L. that = 52 price increase between Edmonton and COW that =27% high cost per liter for gasoline in COW. So I asked truckers how much does it cost to haul fuel and they would not say. So why doesn't Larry check and see why Yukoners are paying so much more for gasoline.

Up 31 Down 10

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:46 pm

If the government wants to do one smart thing just cancel the carbon tax because Sandy made a promise to give back 100% which he cannot. But you know Larry did not say to Trudeau they want it all rebated back. Why have a carbon tax in the first place? I have had over 1500 Yukoners say carbon tax makes no sense if we are going to rebate it back. I am connected to 1000's of Yukoners and they think it's crazy in simple terms. The numbers of how much carbon tax Yukoners would pay is off by 90% or $49 million.

Up 19 Down 12

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:15 pm

I tried to help Larry on how to invest not spend infrastructure money in Yukon.
There are three areas to invest public money into infrastructure to create a strong social economic Yukon.
First social projects which Yukon Party invested heavy when in power such as: women shelter, expand the hospital and build three other hospitals in the communities, build seniors complexes all over the Yukon, build a new drug center to help people, low income support programs, etc $100's of million went into this investment to help Yukoners socially. Include new jail, more specialists at hospital. Not one social project in there.

Up 30 Down 11

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 9:19 pm

Yukoners it time for the truth. Canada is broke like Ontario and Nova Scotia.
So do Yukoners want another $100 million added to Canada's debt and our taxes go up to pay for it?
Does that make good people and voters and tax payers sense?
Sandy already asked do you want a sale tax and lots debt and they said no.
So Larry has not listened to Yukoners who do not want debt.

Up 26 Down 9

Wilf Carter on Sep 7, 2019 at 9:16 pm

Let's look at Larry's track record - $28 million over the last 4 years. $19 million for the poorly developed COW new building that was estimated to cost $55 million including everything but came in at $90 million real price all total.
Then you have Larry/Trudeau providing Yukon $2.4 million a year for housing over the last 4 years. We have 44 lots in COW and need 150 lots a year just to keep up with demand.
Not one promise on land development to build houses.

Up 8 Down 24

Conscientious observer on Sep 7, 2019 at 7:16 pm

Whose concerns have not been met here? Let them come forward and say this funding is not needed.

Up 23 Down 6

Woodcutter on Sep 7, 2019 at 5:21 pm

The Liberals should have learnt a lesson from the last election, when Harper tried to buy our votes.

Up 23 Down 4

Michael Miller on Sep 7, 2019 at 4:53 pm

There was a 3 billion dollar surplus last year and the Liberals are giving it all away for election votes.

Up 55 Down 8

Josey Wales on Sep 7, 2019 at 10:32 am

Well that is a big wad to dangle at your subjects eh folks, worthy even Larry combing his hair?
Looks like his shirt is even tucked in today, looking election sharp Larry.

Is your boss going back to teaching actual drama classes after October I wonder? Hope so as I think he is a very dangerous fool that has decimated this once great country.
Or have enough seventh century sycophants ran outta the Trojan camel to ensure the lunacy continues...I also wonder.
I identify as an attack helicopter, and figured it was time for a circuit to increase my carbon footprint, pulling the collective on team Red.
....and do not dare tell me I cannot identify as such, as I have always felt inside to have twin turbines, and a array of weapons to fight stupid.

Up 13 Down 53

BnR on Sep 7, 2019 at 9:08 am

Drum, is this a bad thing?
I don’t care if it’s a Conservative or Liberal MP spreading the cash round, it amounts to jobs and better infrastructure for us.
Is this something Jonas Smith wants to stop?

Up 25 Down 41

Chris Sorg on Sep 7, 2019 at 7:06 am

FINALLY! The long neglected group of skaters are going to get their new skatepark. It’s about time we funded something other than playgrounds, soccer fields, ski hills and hockey related projects, although those are also worthwhile. We need to lend support to those that don’t necessarily fit into the majority mainstream. Great news!

Up 10 Down 71

Undecided voter on Sep 7, 2019 at 6:01 am

Your Liberals know where the problems are and how to fix them. For continued community support let's keep the program going. Vote Liberal.

Up 50 Down 6

Al faulds on Sep 7, 2019 at 1:43 am

Larry how does a skateboard park help global warming?

Up 44 Down 6

Jack on Sep 7, 2019 at 1:18 am

Why does he only do this close to election time? Anyway, the new MP can take credit for it.

Up 55 Down 6

Ninni on Sep 6, 2019 at 9:25 pm

Seriously, 2.6 million for a skateboard park in Whitehorse??? What about portables for schools - first priority, not??????

Up 68 Down 4

Joe on Sep 6, 2019 at 8:15 pm

Stop throwing my money around. Should be illegal to try and buy votes with taxpayers money, it’s sickening. Stop.

Up 53 Down 2

Ken Putnam on Sep 6, 2019 at 7:13 pm

Gee, election six weeks away and Larry comes out with this. Nice try. Question: the $600 million Shiny Pony announced on the banks of the Yukon River two years ago had it been spent already or has Highways ever seen ten cents of that money?

Up 57 Down 5

jc on Sep 6, 2019 at 5:30 pm

Larry Claus cuts over 200 million dollars since January. And again not a cent to the seniors.

Up 67 Down 14

Olaf on Sep 6, 2019 at 5:21 pm

Why so much funding directly to First Nation groups?
I thought that once settlements had been reached, respective FN’s were to be Self governing and self funding.
CAFN should be able to cover their own infrastructure costs.
In some cases I don't think that FN groups even pay a federal tax of any form yet they continue to benefit from our tax base.

Sorry Larry and Justin, I can’t support this kind of directed spending.

Up 55 Down 9

Dave on Sep 6, 2019 at 5:09 pm

How much has it cost us so far this year for the Liberals to try and buy Larry’s seat again? I’ll bet all the promises so far total $150,000,000 of additional public debt that neither Larry or the Liberal party is on the hook to pay back. It must be so nice to promise the moon using someone else’s Visa eh?

Up 54 Down 7

Groucho d'North on Sep 6, 2019 at 5:06 pm

Looks like desperation to buy one seat, I wonder how much the Libs are spending in Quebec and Ontario? Justin's errors are becoming expensive.

Up 93 Down 8

drum on Sep 6, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Must be an election year!!!!!!

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.