Discussion D - Successfully Implementing YG’s 4 Priorities
Priority 1 Our people-centred approach to wellness helps Yukoners thrive.
Consideration | Why do this? |
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Undertake comprehensive review of the healthcare sector |
This review would provide a complete understanding of the factors driving healthcare costs and the quality of outcomes being delivered to Yukoners in the current system. Additionally, this would serve as a basis for future improvements. |
Support innovations in healthcare delivery |
This consideration aligns with the intention of increasing public sector efficiencies. As a significant portion of the budget is allocated to healthcare, this is an important area to focus on. Examples of such innovation could include development of mobile labs or clinics supporting around the clock diagnostic work or creation of electronic medical records. |
Consider “co-pay” arrangements in healthcare |
Co-pay refers to implementing income-related cost sharing of healthcare costs. There is an opportunity to examine the potential for low-impact changes to co-pay arrangements in areas like pharmacare (drug costs). |
Invest in social spending |
There is evidence that incremental investments in housing and other aspects of social spending have a much bigger impact on health outcomes than a marginal dollar spent on health care facilities and personnel. This consideration suggests reallocating tax dollars from traditional health spending (facilitates & personal) to social spending (housing or other key indicators of health & wellness). |
Focus on supporting adult functional literacy challenges |
The Education Department could assess the outcomes from current approaches to dealing with adult literacy challenges and consider program design changes to improve those outcomes. |
Priority 2 Our strategic investments build healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities.
Consideration | Why do this? |
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Use proposed savings fund as source for social infrastructure |
Budget surpluses would be stored in this specific fund and could be allocated to support the development of social infrastructure such as spending on community facilities and meetings halls and therefore not compete with economic infrastructure revenue sources. |
Introduce working income tax credit |
If Yukon government was to proceed with implementing a carbon and/or consumption tax, the revenue could be recycled in several ways. Specifically, Yukon government could implement a working income tax credit instead of a cost-of-living credit as this supports more equitable distribution of benefits. |
Priority 3 Our strong government-to-government relationships with First Nations foster reconciliation.
Consideration | Why do this? |
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Assess the educational outcomes for aboriginal students |
For economic and social reasons as well for the advancement of reconciliation, it is critical to assess the educational outcomes for aboriginal students and to craft, with the First Nations communities and the federal government, ways to improve those outcomes. |
Consider joint ventures, including public-private partnerships, with First Nations governments |
For future infrastructure projects, the Government of Yukon could consider joint ventures, including public-private partnerships with First Nations governments. With potential funding from the federal government’s PPP Canada Fund, the cost to the Yukon taxpayers can be lowered for desirable projects. |
Priority 4 Our diverse, growing economy provides good jobs for Yukoners in an environmentally responsible way.
Consideration | Why do this? |
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Reduction in business taxes |
The reduction of business taxes directly impacts economic growth by encouraging capital investment and improving income distribution by moderating the burden on workers’ compensation. |
Consider use of public-private partnerships [P3] |
Consider the use of public-private partnerships [P3] using the federal government is a potential funding partner in such joint ventures with the private sector through PPP Canada and/or the new Canada Infrastructure Bank [CIB]. |
Evaluate business support programs against outcomes |
Consider evaluating the cost of business support programs to the revenues generated from business income taxes to determine their effectiveness or need for improvement. |
- What pros, opportunities and benefits are associated with these options?
- What cons, challenges and limitations are associated with these options?