Canadians deserve a sustainable health care system that provides timely access to high-quality health and social services that support individual wellbeing and healthy communities.
Today, the Honourable Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Brad Cathers, Yukon's Minister of Health and Social Services, announced that Canada and Yukon have reached an agreement in principle to renew the Working Together bilateral agreement. Once finalized, the agreement will provide approximately $52.1 million over seven years to improve access to health care across the territory. The Yukon is the second territory to announce progress on renewing its Working Together Agreement, after the Northwest Territories earlier this week.
Through this renewed federal investment, Yukon will advance ongoing priorities outlined in a new four-year action plan, including:
- supporting health workers and improving service continuity in rural communities;
- increasing access to family health services;
- improving access to quality mental health and substance use services; and
- modernizing health systems.
The renewed agreement builds on measurable progress already achieved under the initial bilateral agreement (2023-24 - 2025-26). Since then, Yukon has:
- strengthened mental health and substance use services, including prevention and early-intervention amongst youth, and support for Yukon First Nations-led healing camps;
- expanded access to opioid treatment services;
- increased harm reduction access, improving stability for high-needs individuals and reducing emergency room visits; and
- improved timely primary care access through a new team-based clinic in Whitehorse providing same-day care for unattached patients, with 99% patient satisfaction.
The territory will continue to publicly report each year on progress toward agreed-upon targets, ensuring Canadians can track how these investments are improving access to care. The action plan continues to be informed by engagement with First Nations to help improve access to culturally safe and appropriate care.
The Government of Canada is also investing $74.5 million over 3 years in health infrastructure funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund Canada-Yukon Agreement announced in May, which will support critical health infrastructure, including hospitals and long-term care.
Together, the Government of Canada and Yukon are delivering practical improvements that strengthen health care, support healthier communities and help build a stronger economy.
