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March
28, 2005
With the significant
increase in the flow of federal monies to
the Territory, it does not come as a surprise
that the 2005 – 2006
Budget released by the Territorial Government
on March 24, 2005 has once again surpassed
previous spending estimates.
The Yukon
Chamber of Commerce is pleased the Government
is demonstrating a commitment to improve
infrastructure in the Territory. “Infrastructure
and regulatory issues are two top priorities
for the Chamber” says YCC Chair Rob
Harvey. “Building sound infrastructure
supports economic growth and development
in areas such as tourism, renewable and
non-renewable industries providing for
opportunities that can benefit all Yukon
communities.”
Of significant
importance to the business community is the
206.4 million dollars in capital expenditures. “This
is good news not only for the construction
industries” says Harvey, “but
also for the professional services, wholesalers
and retail businesses that service those
industries.”
Improvements to
community infrastructure are extremely important
and hopefully will proceed in a timely
fashion. In particular, the Chamber encourages
the Yukon Government to increase efforts
in solving water and wastewater deficiencies
in Dawson City, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing,
to name but three.
The Yukon Chamber
of Commerce is also pleased to see that the
government is budgeting a surplus, reversing
a trend that has seen the Yukon dependent
on accumulated surpluses to balance budgets.
We are also pleased the government remains
committed to providing quality health care
and education programs that are vital to
the well being of Yukoners.
An area the
Chamber would like the government to focus
more closely on is that of increasing territorial
revenues without increasing tax rates.
While territorial revenue projections show
only a modest increase over last year,
it does support other statistics indicating
the economy is recovering.
The Yukon Chamber
of Commerce urges the government to continue
to improve infrastructure in the Yukon,
hold the line on corporate and personal
income tax rates and work towards increased
self-sufficiency that fully supports and
facilitates private sector growth.
– 30 –
Rob Harvey, Chair
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
667-2000 |
Sandy Babcock, President
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
667-2000 |
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