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WHITEHORSE – On Wednesday, the Yukon Party Official Opposition questioned how the Liberal government mismanaged finances so badly that multiple departments ran out of money and were unable to pay employees during the final pay period of the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The free-spending Liberals have spent beyond their means, and the amount authorized for the fiscal year. As a result, the Liberals are in danger of breaking the law regarding government spending, the Financial Administration Act.
The cash shortfall came to light when the Liberals informed opposition parties the 2023/2024 Supplementary Budget must pass the Yukon Legislative Assembly by the end of the day on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The Liberal House Leader gave notice on Wednesday to extend Thursday’s sitting day beyond its normal adjournment of 5:30 p.m.
Multiple departments have yet to finish debate, including those important to rural Yukoners, such as Highways and Public Works and Community Services, as well as the department of Health and Social Services has not yet been debated at all. That department has seen chronic underfunding and service challenges in rural Yukon.
This extraordinary step would require the Yukon Legislative Assembly to sit until debate concludes. The only reason the Liberal government would take the step of sitting late into the evening before a long weekend would be if they are in danger of missing payroll and violating the Financial Administration Act.
“It is a legal duty of every Minister, especially the Minister of Finance, to ensure that the Financial Administration Act is followed,” said Finance Critic Brad Cathers. “Now we have learned that the government is at risk of missing payroll and violating the Financial Administration Act because the Liberals have fumbled the ball, mismanaged House time, and stumbled to the end of the fiscal year. The two opposition parties are now being asked to save the Liberal government from itself and ensure that employees can be legally paid.”
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