BUDGET INVESTS TOO LITTLE IN HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE
NDP leader Todd Hardy says the Yukon’s record 2009-2010 budget focuses too much on bricks and mortar projects at the expense of non-government organizations with a proven track record of improving the lives of Yukoners from all walks of life.
"Despite all the hype we have been hearing in recent weeks, this is another typical Yukon Party government budget that believes that spending on roads, bridges and buildings is the answer to all our problems," Hardy adds. "It fails miserably to invest significantly in our greatest asset, our human infrastructure.
"Virtually every single NGO that works in the social or education field will see its government grant frozen or cut, and that’s not how you treat these important partners in building stronger communities and healthier citizens."
The Skookum Jim Friendship Centre’s funding will be cut by 79 per cent while the Yukon Women’s Transition Home Society will face a 13 per cent funding decrease. Most other non-government organizations that depend on government transfer payments will see their budgets frozen.
"The Finance minister also says on the very first page of his budget speech that he is ‘focusing on diversification and building on our strategic industries’," he adds. "In fact, this government is becoming increasingly dependent on federal transfer payments – to the tune of 71 per cent this fiscal year – while the amount it is spending to diversify the economy is just $3.21 million."
As for protecting the environment, the government is cutting its spending on ensuring we have sustainable fish and wildlife populations by eight per cent and its spending on environmental monitoring and inspections and pollution prevention programs by five per cent. It’s spending on non-renewable industries is rising by 27 per cent while its spending on renewable industries is dropping by 24 per cent.
"Overall, this government appears incapable of showing any long-term strategy," Hardy notes. "The modest six-per-cent increase in capital spending we will see this fiscal year is the only major change from its previous budget. And that’s a shame. This government had a golden opportunity to chart a new course to lead us towards a sustainable future. Instead, there is very little in this budget that excites or surprises me."