The Yukon Party is urging the government to ensure the Yukon Women’s Coalition is properly consulted, and included in, negotiations on the funding agreement and implementation plan for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (NAP-GBV).

A request from the groups was first made in a Feb. 28 letter to Jeanie McLean, the minister of Women and Gender Equity Directorate, the official Opposition noted Monday.

The coalition’s eight member organizations requested “a formal working relationship with Yukon Government on the roll-out of National Action Plan funding in the Yukon in the form of an MOU that would demonstrate our inclusion as decision makers on prioritization of how this funding should roll out.”

On May 18, the Yukon government announced it had begun bilateral discussions with Ottawa to finalize the territory’s agreement for funding and implementation.

To date, neither the government nor the coalition has announced a formal MOU.

“In addition, participation by the coalition or an outline of their priorities in bilateral negotiations was noticeably absent in the Liberal government announcement on the start of negotiations,” the Yukon Party said.

“This government has a concerning track record on consultation and needs to ensure the capacity, programs, and funding of Yukon Women’s Coalition members match the details of the funding agreement and implementation plan for the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence,” said Yvonne Clarke, the party’s Women and Gender Equity Directorate critic.

“The Liberals have an alarming trend of making decisions without seeking input from Yukoners.

“To ensure success, they need to properly consult with the Yukon Women’s Coalition before making decisions on implementation, so any plans or funding match up with the needs on the ground.”

Cabinet communications staff were asked for a response to the Yukon Party’s points.

“Yet again, the Yukon Party is behind the ball and calling for conversations that are already underway,” staff said in a statement today.

“Equity-seeking organizations in the Yukon make incredibly valuable and critical contributions in supporting women and 2SLGBTQIA+ Yukoners.”

McLean has met with these women’s coalition organizations and is committed to meeting with them again this year to develop a sustainable path forward, and to work together on the implementation of the Yukon’s part of the National Action Plan, the statement added.

McLean has received communication from the coalition, including organizational financial requests, and these have been considered in the development Yukon’s Implementation Plan under the National Action Plan, the statement added.

Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada announced four years of funding for provinces and territories to implement the National Action Plan, and negotiations are underway and ongoing.

A letter was sent to coalition members during the week of May 15, “explaining where we are at in the negotiation process and next steps,” the statement said.

“Our government is grateful to the Yukon Women’s Coalition’s members for sharing the sector’s needs with minister McLean.

“We will continue to share information about the process as we are able. Once we have finalized the Yukon’s agreement under the NAP-GBV, our government will further engage with equity-seeking organizations and other key Yukon partners on long-term program and policy priorities towards ending gender-based violence.”

Under the agreement, the federal government is anticipated to provide the Yukon with $16.4 million in funding over four years, which will be cost-matched by the territorial government.

Additionally, in the 2022-23 budget, there is an overall increase of $117,000 from the 2022-23 main estimates for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate.

This fiscal year, equality-seeking organizations are receiving a total of $2,190,500 from the Women and Gender Equity Directorate in operational and project funding, the statement noted.

“This includes $197,000 through the Women’s Equity Fund in ongoing operational funding to four non-Indigenous women’s organizations.

“Currie Dixon and the Yukon Party said no to this budget, voting against funding for equity-seeking organizations and work to make the Yukon more inclusive.”