The federal government of Canada has finalised three agreements to invest C$86m ($63m) to enhance healthcare access and services in Yukon.  

This investment in Yukon comes as part of a broader Working Together Agreement, under which the Canadian government has committed to invest up to C$25bn to support provinces and territories.  

Under the first agreement, Yukon secures C$23.8m in federal support to execute its three-year action plan to improve its health system by 2026.  

The plan includes the expansion of mental health, addiction, and specialised care services and the establishment of a new walk-in primary care clinic in Whitehorse, which is projected to assist an additional 1,500 patients annually. 

Yukon’s government will implement ‘Icelandic Prevention Model’ to prevent youth substance use and support communities in developing customised wellness plans.  

Besides, the agreement will help in expanding access to opioid treatment services through a new Mobile Opioid Treatment Services Clinic. 

It also includes the launch of land-based mental health and substance use treatment projects together with the Council of Yukon First Nations and establishing the first residential managed alcohol withdrawal programme in Whitehorse by 2025-26. 

Under a second ‘Aging with Dignity’ agreement, Yukon receives around C$12m from the federal government to support its five-year action plan for ageing with dignity.  

The plan will enhance home care and client support programmes, expand rural community home care, increase personal support workers and nursing staff, and improve long-term care delivery. 

Progress on these initiatives will be tracked against targets and reported on annually by Yukon, ensuring transparency and accountability. 

Besides, the third agreement will allow the Yukon government to renew Territorial Health Investment Fund, with a new grant of C$50m over the next five years.  

This funding will support innovative healthcare projects such as the creation of a new health authority, recruitment/retention of health workers, and improvements in digital health solutions. 

Yukon Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said: “These agreements will significantly advance our efforts in building a health and social system that serves territory. They will expand primary care, enhance long-term, home, and community care, address substance use health emergency, support health system transformation, and tackle health workforce shortages.”