March 26/2004

Quotes from Premier Fentie's Budget Speech

 

• The 2003-2004 Budget laid the foundation for the territory's financial future.  The funding initiatives that I have outlined and the 2004-2005 Budget initiatives are going to build upon that foundation and will help determine the future economic course of the territory for the duration of our current mandate.  Of the four budgets this government will develop during our current mandate, the 2004-2005 Budget will be the most important.  It is our financial "flag ship" that, together with our recently released economic strategy, will help build a sustainable and competitive Yukon economy.
• Both the Whitehorse waterfront and Carcross waterfront projects would qualify under the federal Strategic Infrastructure Fund.
• Governor Murkowski of Alaska has indicated his desire to see the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad return to Whitehorse.  Our government will facilitate discussions with the State of Alaska and White Pass & Yukon Route to determine how this possibility might be expedited.
• Major work will be done this summer on the Tagish Road to bring the route up to an 80 km standard and improve safety conditions.  $1.5 million will be spent in 2004 - 2005 and $280,000 in 2005 - 2006.
• $140,000 has also been designated for the planning and design of a community centre at Marsh Lake.
• Clean water is a fundamental service and there are a number of initiatives in this regard:  $700,000 is being appropriated to establish a Yukon wide well-digging financing program.
• Our commitment to reinstate the Community Development Fund and Firesmart to original funding levels stands.  $3.5 million is being provided for CDF and $1.5 million for Firesmart.
• Funding of $300,000 is being provided in 2004-2005 for the development of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Heritage Cultural Centre to showcase their heritage
• Our government is also going to upgrade the hourly rate for volunteer fire fighters from $10 an hour to $20 an hour in recognition of their tremendous commitment to our communities.  $28,000 is being provided to cover the cost of the increase.
• A further $12,800 is being made available to pay volunteer firefighters to be on-site during extreme fire warning days at Marsh Lake, Tagish, Carcross and Mount Lorne.
• A further $65,000 will be made available to increase the contributions available to communities under the Winter Activities Program and the communities of Tagish, Marsh Lake and Mount Lorne will now be supported through the summer activities program.  Both programs are focused on youth leadership and youth employment through relevant community sponsored projects.
• It is a budget that implements many of our election commitments.  Those that remain are on our "To Do" list and will be addressed in future budgets.
• Mr. Speaker, the 2004-2005 Budget is going to help determine the future economic course of the territory for the next three years and will allow our government to implement its progressive social agenda.