Yukon government no longer handing out baby boxes to families

In a recent letter to the health minister, Yukon Liberal Party MLA Debra-Leigh Reti asks him to confirm if the Yukon government’s baby basket program has been cut.

Yukon government no longer handing out baby boxes to families MLA Debra-Leigh Reti wrote to the health minister asking if the program had been cut The Yukon government is no longer handing out baby baskets. The program provided new families a sturdy cardboard box stuffed with supplies for newborns and educational materials for parents, as well as a mattress insert. The box acted as a sleeping cot for babies.

It started in the territory in August 2024. When it launched under the previous Liberal government, a press release said more than 60 countries use baby baskets. In a letter to Health Minister Brad Cathers, Vuntut Gwitchin MLA Debra-Leigh Reti of the Liberals said she heard baskets are no longer being offered to families.

Reti asked Cathers to confirm how much the program cost the government, and if it has been cut. No obligation to keep it, minister says In a response letter, Cathers said it was a time-limited initiative. He said about 650 boxes were handed out at a cost of approximately $300,000.

That works out to about $460 per basket. Cathers said there was no commitment to keep funding it. In an email to CBC, cabinet communications said all items purchased under the program have been distributed.

In his letter, Cathers says his government inherited financial problems from the previous Liberal government. It needs to put its money where it’s “most urgently needed,” he said. For example, Cathers cited patient overflow data at the Whitehorse General Hospital behind the need for more hospital beds.

Last month, CBC reported bed capacity reached 146 per cent. 'Cutting funding for children' While Reti agreed with the need for more beds, she wondered where else the government could have looked to save money. During an interview, Reti suggested the government consider cutting its travels.

In the letter, Reti expressed her disappointment. She said the program promoted healthy child development. Reti said her daughter benefited from the program.

“It's been such a blessing,” she said. “The decision seems consistent around ... why are we cutting funding for children?”