The bickering between the governing Liberals and the Yukon NDP over free public transit continued Monday in the legislature.

NDP MLA Lane Tredger said, “The minister of Community Services has told Yukoners that there is no additional money for free transit despite the City of Whitehorse saying more money would be needed in coming years to make it happen.

“This is a real disappointment to Yukoners who have been waiting for free transit,” Tredger said. “It would help Yukoners reduce their carbon emissions by driving less.

“Despite the minister claiming there isn’t enough money to make it happen, (Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn) somehow found an extra million dollars in his department’s budget to help pay for an ore dock (in Skagway),” they added.

“That money was cut from the Better Buildings program budget, a program meant to help Yukoners cut greenhouse gas emissions by funding home retrofits,” Tredger told the House.

“Why is the minister okay with moving money from climate initiatives to pay for private mining interests but not to fulfill his commitment for free public transit?” they asked.

Mostyn immediately bristled at that.

“I will take exception to the assertions of the member opposite. We are committed to working with the City of Yukon and the Yukon NDP caucus to explore replacing fare-generated revenue to make public transit free in Whitehorse,” he said.

“We have a transit working group made up of one Yukon NDP MLA and a representative from the City of Whitehorse. The working group is an important place for these conversations to happen.”

The government has allocated $1.5 million for free transit as per the Confidence and Supply Agreement the Liberals signed with the NDP last Jan. 31.

“We want to make sure that the free transit initiative that was put forward by the Yukon NDP through the Confidence and Supply Agreement ment sticks to the budget of $1.5 million,” Mostyn said.

“We’re going to do that.”

Tredger didn’t relent.

“Free transit is not just about climate action. It would also make transportation more affordable for Yukoners,” they said.

“Yukoners who already use public transit save a lot of money on monthly passes or bus tickets. Those who own a car could save a lot of money by choosing the bus instead,” they added.

“Our initiative is a win-win for everyone. But instead of helping low-income Yukoners, this government is giving over a million dollars through their landlord subsidy to people who already own multiple homes,” Tredger told the House.

“Instead of helping Yukoners meet rising transportation costs, the Liberals chose to subsidize those who already have the most.”

“Once again, I will say that we are fully prepared to honour — and want to honour — the agreement we have with the Yukon New Democratic Party through the Confidence and Supply Agreement to provide free transit for Whitehorse,” Mostyn responded.

“The budget for that initiative – agreed to with the Yukon New Democratic Party caucus at the time of the Confidence and Supply Agreement – was $1.5 million. We have that money, and we are prepared to spend it on free transit,” Mostyn said.