Budget 2017: Building a Strong Middle Class in Whitehorse  

From: Department of Finance Canada

News Release

March 31, 2017 – Whitehorse, Yukon – Department of Finance Canada

Budget 2017 is the next step in the Government's long-term plan to create jobs and strengthen the middle class. Canada is home to a well-educated and highly skilled workforce, but as the demands of the workplace change, so too must the education and skills that workers bring to their jobs. The changes in the economy—both here at home and around the world—present incredible opportunities for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

Today, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance Ginette Petitpas Taylor was in Whitehorse to highlight Budget 2017, Building a Strong Middle Class, the Government's ambitious agenda to support middle class Canadians at every stage of their lives, transform our neighbourhoods and communities, and give every Canadian a real and fair chance at success.

Parliamentary Secretary Petitpas Taylor held a roundtable discussion at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Budget 2017 infrastructure investments that will pay dividends for years to come: delivering clean, sustained economic growth; building stronger, more inclusive communities; and creating more good, middle class jobs for Canadians. She also highlighted the new National Housing Strategy, which will help build, renew and repair Canada's stock of affordable housing and help ensure that Canadians have access to affordable housing that meets their needs.

Later this morning, Parliamentary Secretary Petitpas Taylor will speak with college representatives and academic leaders about how Budget 2017 will equip Canada's workers with the skills and tools they need to succeed in a changing economy. Budget 2017 places Canada's skilled, talented and creative people at the heart of a more innovative economy. It makes smart investments to help adult workers retrain or upgrade their skills to adapt to changes in the new economy, and to help young people get the skills and work experience they need to start their careers.

Quotes

"Building strong communities is part of our plan to create well-paying jobs for middle class Canadians, make our cities more dynamic and competitive, and drive economic growth. Budget 2017 continues our plan to strengthen the middle class—the heart of Canada's economy."

- Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance

Quick Facts

  • Budget 2017 support for Yukon includes:

  • Because rural and northern communities have unique infrastructure needs that require a more targeted approach, the Government will invest $2.0 billion over 11 years to support a broad range of infrastructure projects.

  • Investing $108 million over four years, starting in 2017–18, to renew and expand the Territorial Health Investment Fund. Of this amount, $25.6 million will be allocated to Yukon. This funding will support territorial efforts to innovate and transform their health care systems and ensure northerners have access to the health care they need.

  • As committed to in an offer by the Government of Canada, Budget 2017 proposes to invest $6 billion over 10 years for home care, and $5 billion over 10 years to support mental health initiatives in provinces and territories that have accepted this federal offer, including Yukon. Over the next 10 years, Yukon's share of this funding represents an additional $11.4 million for the territory: 

  • $6.2 million for better home care, including addressing critical home care infrastructure requirements; and

  • $5.2 million in support of mental health initiatives.

  • Improving access to primary care, mental health services, and home and palliative care, and providing greater support for maternal and child health for First Nations and Inuit, through an investment of $828.2 million over five years.

  • Supporting trade and transportation corridor projects that will help Canadians get their products to markets across Canada and around the world, through an investment of $10.1 billion over 11 years.

  • More than $11.2 billion over 11 years for a National Housing Strategy to help ensure that Canadians have affordable housing that meets their needs. Of the total funding, $3.2 billion will be provided to provinces and territories to support key priorities for affordable housing.  

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Contacts

Media may contact:

Marion Pilon-Cousineau
Office of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
Marion.Pilon-Cousineau@Canada.ca
613-369-5696

Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000

General enquiries

Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca

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