Yukon NDP condemns Liberals’ decision to cancel meal program

January 19, 2023

Whitehorse – The Yukon NDP is condemning the Liberal government’s decision to quietly end an essential public meal program that provided dinner service at the Family Hotel to Yukoners in need.

The government first tried to shut down this meal program in 2020. After public backlash, the government was forced to reverse their decision and keep the program open.

The Liberal government is abruptly ending this program again, without notifying clients or service providers.

Due to the timing of this program closing, holiday food programs were able to temporarily fill the gap. This means clients and service providers didn’t learn it had been cancelled until now.

“There are many Yukoners who relied on this particular food program – and now they are left with one less resource for food security,” said Annie Blake, MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin. “The government’s decision to suddenly end this food program is reckless and harmful to our community.”

Just weeks after ending the program, the government reported a $55 million dollar surplus.

“While people continue to struggle to put food on the table due to skyrocketing costs, the Liberals are turning their backs on those in need,” MLA Blake added.

The Yukon NDP is calling on the Liberal government to support Yukoners through the ongoing affordability crisis and immediately restart this meal program.

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