Since the effective date of the modern Yukon Self-government Agreements in the early 1990’s, a new order of government has existed in law in Yukon which establishes First Nation law-making authority and control over various programs and services on settlement land and traditional territory.  Yukon Liberals understand that strong, effective, transparent government-to-government relationships are absolutely necessary in modern Yukon. 

A Yukon Liberal Government will:

• within 30 days of forming government, have the Premier and Cabinet meet with First Nation Chiefs to establish initial priorities;
• hold bi-lateral Premier/First Nation Chief meetings as requested;
• hold a revitalized Yukon Forum up to four times annually as agreed with Yukon Chiefs, and
• support First Nations governments in bilateral initiatives they have with the Government of Canada.

An active, healthy society improves standards of living and economic outcomes as well as reduces strain on our healthcare system. We need to invest in people, in affordable housing, in alternative methods of care, in people’s mental health and in active living.

A Yukon Liberal Government will:

• streamline and refocus the implementation of the Yukon Mental Wellness Strategy and include comprehensive after care services in Yukon communities;
• recruit an adequate number of in-patient and out-patient mental health workers to meet the mental health needs of the territory;
• increase the Yukon College licensed practical nursing program from an intake every 18 months to every 12 months;
• engage with the Government of Canada and the Mental Health Commission of Canada on the implementation of the National Mental Health Strategy;
• modernize and integrate alcohol treatment programs and services to reflect advances in treatment and services and First Nations culture – including land-based programming, community-based care and aftercare;
• create adequate hospital infrastructure for Yukoners by ensuring that Yukon hospitals have sufficient capacity including beds, equipment, services, and qualified staff;
• examine options to improve the delivery of front line health care services through a collaborative care model;
• fund health and wellness peer champions in each community to encourage healthy lifestyle and participation in existing, yet undersubscribed, programs;
• work in partnership with the francophone community to find practical short and long term solutions to provide more services in French; especially in the priority areas of primary, emergency and mental health care;
• address community concerns on cancer incidence by obtaining reliable information and enhancing health promotion and prevention initiatives;
• update and enhance the FireSmart Program;
• adopt a Housing First Strategy for vulnerable populations such as those affected by poverty, addictions or mental health problems, and
• work with municipalities and First Nations governments to implement the Housing Action Plan.

Yukon businesses create jobs. With lower taxes, employers can invest in marketing, training, and innovation to create more good jobs for Yukoners. With fair procurement processes, Yukon businesses can compete and grow. With more Yukon government spending staying in the territory, all Yukoners benefit.

A Yukon Liberal government will:

• eliminate the small business tax;
• reduce the corporate tax rate to 12% from 15%;
• increase the ceiling for the Yukon Small Business Investment Tax Credit from $1 million to $5 million and increase the asset limit to allow larger companies to qualify;
• fast track the implementation of the recommendations of the Procurement Advisory Panel Report (i.e. within two years);
• collaborate with major industry including mines and large infrastructure projects to ensure they have local-purchase programs  that complement government procurement initiatives, and
• commit to transparent Yukon Government capital planning by creating a detailed five-year Capital Plan and developing an inventory of “shovel-ready” projects that will be tendered well ahead of each construction season.

First Nations make enormous contributions to Yukon based on their history in the territory.  Revitalizing, maintaining and celebrating First Nations knowledge, language and culture are core to a modern Yukon.

A Yukon Liberal government will:

• establish National Aboriginal Day as a Yukon statutory holiday;
• support Yukon First Nations in establishing and administering archives of traditional knowledge;
• market First Nations arts and culture initiatives in partnership with Yukon First Nations;
• incorporate First Nations’ culture into the Standing Orders, customs, and practices of the Legislature;
• in consultation with First Nations and First Nation Heritage Centres, establish an Indigenous Fine Arts Program, and
• work with linguistic experts and First Nations to develop, preserve and enhance traditional knowledge, First Nation languages, and First Nation culture.

Child care, development and education from birth to age eight must be co-ordinated to maximize the benefits to our children.

A Yukon Liberal Government will:

• research, develop and implement a Yukon Early Childhood Strategy (childcare, development and education), in consultation with early childhood education and health care professionals, parents and First Nation governments, in order to improve developmental and educational outcomes, and
• create structures that close the gap in responsibility between the Departments of Health and Social Services and Education.