The Change Yukon Needs

THE P e CHANGE arctic circle e l R iv e YUKON r r e v i e R ston lack B r e v i r R e r v d e i NEEDS n v i i R t R r W r a e e v H i m R u l e P k a t e n S n n o B r Rive McQueste n Y u k on R iv er H e ss Ri ver Big S a lm o n R i r v e v e i r R T Y c e e u s s l k l i A o n n R R i i v v e e r r i in h N s i n s e u r h t e s l v i i t n a L R T R ia d i r n v d a e R l r y iv H er Inclusivity: All opinions are valid. Common Balance: Purpose: Evidence-based Yukoners are Yukon decisions need united in our to be balanced common love Liberals by the needs of for the place we society, industry call home. and the economy. Accountability: We will do what we say we will do. Letter from the Leader Dear Yukoners, We will be an inclusive, accountable government with a balanced approach. We will govern with a common purpose, The Yukon Liberals have engaged with you, the people of the because all Yukoners are united in our love of this territory. The Yukon, and we have heard what you are saying. health and well-being of Yukoners is and will remain top of mind to the Yukon Liberal team. We respect your concerns and in response we offer you a platform of commitments based on these five basic principles: When you elect the Yukon Liberals on November 7th, you will • a balanced approach in the management of Yukon’s get a dedicated team who values and respects your needs, economic development, your way of life, and your hopes for the future. • respectful government-to-government relations with First Nations Governments, Sincerely, • supporting local solutions for local concerns at the municipal level, • fostering healthier living for everyone’s betterment and Sandy Silver • being a government that is transparent and accountable MLA, Klondike in its dealings with Yukoners. Leader, Yukon Liberals Our platform outlines more than 130 commitments based on suggestions directly from Yukoners. To achieve what we have put forward we must work collaboratively with all governments. We will bring together the private sector, investors, development corporations, and non-government organizations so that we can balance the need for economic growth and certainty with environmental stewardship. You have clearly said that it is time for a government that works collaboratively to protect the environment we treasure while continuing to build a strong future for the generations of Yukoners to come. Good Jobs in a Sustainable Environment Modern Yukon All Communities Matter THE Healthier, Happier CHANGE Lives YUKON NEEDS Government for the People Facilitate Yukon Business page 4 Economic Diversification Existing Industries Knowledge Economy Sustainable Environment Self-Government Agreements page 8 Government-to-Government Relationships Truth and Reconciliation Commission Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Traditional Knowledge, Language and Culture Economic and Infrastructure Development page 10 Predictable Funding Programs Housing Prenatal page 12 Early Childhood K-12 Education Life-Long Learning Life-Long Health and Well Being Aging in Place Justice for All Yukon Legislative Assembly page 16 Electoral Process Red Tape and Access to Services Public Service Excellence 5 Priorities of a Yukon Liberal government 2 Yukoners can expect a Yukon Liberal government to be open 3 All Communities Matter: and transparent. As Liberals, we believe it is also important to thriving Yukon communities publicly commit to your principles and ambitions, so that voters A Yukon Liberal government recognizes that communities are can judge our tenure in office appropriately. at the frontline of territorial governance and are key partners in Therefore, we commit to a balanced approach in the shaping the future of the territory. They are also best-placed management of Yukon, to be guided by five priorities that cannot to identify their own concerns and priorities. We will work be considered in isolation of each other. In order to achieve collaboratively with municipalities to build sustainable, diverse prosperity for seven generations, all priorities are inter-connected economies and support local solutions for local problems to and the impact of all must be considered in each. improve our collective way of life. 1 Good Jobs in a Sustainable Environment: 4 Healthier, Happier Lives: balancing economic diversification with programs and services tailored for Yukoners environmental stewardship A Yukon Liberal government recognizes that healthy living A Yukon Liberal government will implement an economic and happiness are life-long pursuits. As Government, we are strategy that integrates a high level of long-term environmental committed to wellness and lifelong learning and will ensure management in all our decisions in order to diversify that our policies and services coordinate for the betterment of our economy while preserving our way of life. A Liberal Yukoners. Government recognizes that economic diversification cannot be achieved without targeted investment and vision. 5 Government for the People: an ethical, responsible and accountable 2 Modern Yukon: government serving Yukoners collaborating with First Nations for the benefit A Yukon Liberal government will commit to improved of Yukon transparency in government operations and finances, a A Yukon Liberal government will work diligently on respectful legislature that incorporates First Nations values and culture, government-to-government relations with Yukon First Nations. and a caucus that is respectful and accountable in its dealings This means reducing court challenges, which will in turn with Yukoners. create certainty. We will work collaboratively with First Nations and businesses to promote Yukon as a stable, profitable investment destination that honours the commitments of our Self-Government Agreements. 3 Good Jobs in a Sustainable Facilitate Yukon Business Yukon businesses create jobs. With lower taxes, employers Environment can invest in marketing, training, and innovation to create more balancing economic diversification with good jobs for Yukoners. With fair procurement processes, environmental stewardship 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 A thriving and prosperous economy should • commit to transparent Yukon Government capital planning support innovators, visionaries, and those capable by creating a detailed five-year Capital Plan and developing of expanding Yukon’s economic competitiveness an inventory of “shovel-ready” projects that will be tendered and creating good jobs. Yukon Liberals recognize well ahead of each construction season. that the economy and environment cannot be separated from each other, but rather recognize Economic Diversification the importance of sound stewardship of our We need to invest in our people, our businesses and all natural assets. Environmental stewardship will be of our industries to diversify our economy. A Yukon Liberal woven into all decisions taken by government, government will make new and innovative investments in particularly those involving economic programs mining, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and information and projects. technology to create good jobs. We need to expand investment opportunities and build local capacity in new and existing businesses and services. A Yukon Liberal government will: • strengthen entrepreneurial opportunities for Yukon First 4 Nation development corporations; • enhance the tourism industry by: • support manufacturing and product development in • paving the Dawson City airport runway and making the Yukon by finding opportunities for stronger export trade and necessary maintenance and infrastructure upgrades investment accords with our neighbouring jurisdictions; for all rural airports to enhance economic opportunities and community security; • establish an Independent Task Force on Economic Enhancement and Environmental Sustainability; • examining options to develop a more competitive winter tourism industry; • expand the mandate of the Yukon Development Corporation beyond energy and establish a $10 million • considering investments in government infrastructure from economic infrastructure investment fund through YDC to which the tourism industry can build businesses; advance economic diversification and innovation, and • formulating an arts and culture policy in the Yukon that • expand Invest Yukon to reflect the importance of all sectors in recognizes various arts and culture sectors (First Nations, our economy. French, Filipino, etc.) as key pillars to developing the Yukon community; Existing Industries • marketing and supporting the promotion of Yukon artists, arts, and culture; Economic diversification includes developing new industries as well as supporting and expanding industries that continue to • doubling the government’s direct consumer marketing contribute to the economy of Yukon - in balance with meeting efforts for a total investment of

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