Yukon MP Brendan Hanley shakes hands Federal Health Minister Mark Holland following the announcement of the bilateral agreements. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – Three new bilateral agreements between the Yukon and Federal Governments are spelling out $86 million in federal funding that will be rolled out over the coming years in a bid to address the unique challenges and ongoing projects within the territory’s healthcare sector.
The Federal Health Minister Mark Holland announced that the renewed Territorial Health Investment Fund will receive roughly $50 million over five years, the Working Together Agreement will receive $23.8 million over three years and the Aging with Dignity Agreement will get over $12 over the next five years.
Minister Holland highlighted the importance of the agreements by acknowledging the strain on the healthcare system and recognizing the immense pressure healthcare workers were under during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Like everywhere in the world our health systems have gone through a tremendous amount,” Holland acknowledged. “There was no break coming out of [COVID-19] on the other side we were, facing backlogs, facing burnout, and the stress of a system that was overtaxed.”
From left to right: Yukon MP Brendan Hanley, Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee and Federal Health Minister Mark Holland look over blueprints for the permanent location for the Whitehorse Walk-in Clinic at Mah’s Point. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
The Territorial Health Investment Fund aims to help with several projects ranging from the transition to a territorial health authority to enhancing the quality of care that Yukoners can receive. Specifically, the investment will focus on the recruitment and retention of trained healthcare workers as well as the development of a rural family medicine residency program.
Additionally, the Working Together Agreement will support initiatives to expand access to family health services. The construction and operation of the Whitehorse Walk-in Clinic’s permanent location and the kickstart of the Residential Managed Alcohol Program are two initiatives that will be supported by the Working Together Agreement.
The third agreement, Aging with Dignity, is slated to facilitate the expansion of homecare programs to every community across the territory to try and ensure that Yukon seniors receive the care and support they need to maintain a healthy and dignified retirement.
“After a lifetime of contributing, we have to ensure that seniors have a healthy, dignified retirement in their home communities,” said Holland. “It’s unacceptable that somebody would be asked to leave their community after a lifetime of contribution.”
Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee says Yukoners can expect to see action come from this soon with the Whitehorse walk-in clinic will be opening at their permanent location shortly and the Residential Managed Alcohol Program is set to launch in April.
