The Yukon and the two other territories signed a new health care agreement with Ottawa on Monday.

In addition to the three per cent annual increase the territories will receive, there’s an additional $36.1 million over 10 years to be shared among the three jurisdictions specifically to support home care and mental health initiatives.

Eric Clement of the Yukon’s Department of Finance explained this morning of the Yukon’s $11.4-million share of the additional funding over the next decade, $6.2 million is dedicated to home care and $5.2 million will go into mental health.

On average, there will be an additional $1.14 million annually for home care and mental health, but it may not be spread equally over 10 years. There may be years where there is a greater amount than average and some years with less, he said.

Premier Sandy Silver was not available to comment this morning, nor was Health and Social Services Pauline Frost.

In a press release, Silver said: “The Government of Yukon is pleased to have reached a health care funding agreement with the Government of Canada which will help us address the priorities of Yukoners.

“This funding provided by our federal partners ensures that Yukon residents can access the health care they need.”

No one from the Liberal government was made available to explain why the Yukon has decided to break from the national unity shown in December by the provinces and territories in rejecting a new health care financing arrangement with Ottawa.

That arrangement called for a 3.5 per cent annual increase, or half of the annual six per cent boost the former Conservative government provided in a 10-year deal that ends this year.

In an interview last Thursday following the one-day session of the legislature, Silver emphasized how his government stood with the provinces and other territories to reject a federal proposal.

The premier mentioned the united front as an example of how his Liberal government isn’t afraid to stand up to the Liberal government in Ottawa.

Since the national rejection of the federal proposal in December, four provinces and now the three territories have inked separate deals with the federal government.

New Brunswick was the first to break with the national ranks, followed by Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Saskatchewan announced this morning it had inked a deal (see story, p. 8).

The additional funding for home care and mental health comes on top of the annual transfer health transfer payment to the Yukon, which will be approximately $38 million this year and just over $39 million next year with the three per cent increase.

The Yukon’s Department of Health and Social Services has the largest annual budget of all departments, typically accounting for a third or more of all spending by the Yukon government.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, interim Opposition leader Stacey Hassard said:

“We are pleased to hear that the Government of Yukon may have finalized an agreement on health care with the Government of Canada.

“Having access to a sustainable and reliable healthcare system is critical to Yukon families.

“All members of the legislative assembly have a common interest in ensuring our constituents continue to receive the best possible care.

“Although we have not seen the final details of the agreement, we hope that the Government of Yukon negotiated the best possible deal for Yukoners that is both long-term and stable.”

In the three territorial governments’ release, Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod said:

“Health care in the North faces unique challenges and additional funding from Canada for seniors and mental health will help provide better care to some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Added Nunavut Premier Peter Taptuna:

“This additional funding for home care and mental health initiatives is welcome in Nunavut and supports the overall wellness and needs of our residents.”