PROPOSED FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS WILL HURT YUKON
Despite pre-election promises to make strong economic investments in Canada’s North, the newly elected Harper government is primed to cut spending in the region by more than $310 million this fiscal year, says NDP leader Liz Hanson.
“These cuts are contained in the federal budget tabled this spring,” Hanson adds. “If the government follows through with its plan, this could mean a reduction in the services and programs received by Yukoners.”
She urges the federal government to reconsider these cuts, and hopes the Yukon Party government, as well as Yukon’s newly elected Conservative MP, tell their colleagues in Ottawa they are not pleased as these cuts will hurt the North socially, economically and environmentally.
These cuts include:
● $220 million from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs land, resources and environmental management plans;
● $57 million from programs that support the conservation of northern natural resources;
● $17 million from the community development fund managed by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Fund (CanNor);
● $16 million from programs that promote regional development;
● $1.3 million from programs that promote scientific and social development in the North.
“The Yukon New Democratic Party fears these cuts also mean the territorial government will have to dip into its already depleted savings account to provide services and programs previously funded by Ottawa,” Hanson continues.
“Yukoners would like to know precisely what programs and services will be impacted and how the territorial government proposes to address the funding shortfall over both the short- and long-term.”