Government of Yukon issues special warrant to meet financial commitments during budget debate

The Government of Yukon has issued a special warrant to ensure government programs and functions are able to continue while the 2021–22 Budget is debated during the spring legislative sitting.

The special warrant provides budgetary authorization for up to $161 million in government spending for the month of June. Of this amount, $116 million relates to operations and maintenance spending and $45 million is included in capital funding.

The Special Warrant (No. 2) 2021–22 is issued as an order in council under the Financial Administration Act. This funding ensures that government departments continue to have spending authority for operational purposes in the event that the current Special Warrant (No. 1) 2021–22 expires prior to the passage of the 2021–22 Budget in the Legislative Assembly. The first special warrant for 2021–22 expires on May 31, 2021.

Spending in this warrant reflects approximately one twelfth of government spending for the fiscal year in addition to some major commitments, which require government payments at the start of the summer. These include programs or initiatives like $15 million in payments for construction of the Dempster Fibre line, $5 million in payments for housing-related initiatives, and $19 million for land and infrastructure development.