Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee happily showed off the contents of the first "baby baskets" to be given out to new parents in the territory at the project's launch, where three pregnant women received their new boxes.
Every new family can apply for a free baby basket. Eligible applicants must be at least 28 weeks pregnant or those with a new baby no older than two months.
The universally applicable initiative was announced Sept. 13 at 9010 Quartz Rd.
It’s not income-tested because “we want to support every family,” McPhee told press conference attendees.
Each box acts as a certified bassinet for the baby's first few months, per McPhee.
The boxes contain "essential" items for newborns like a thermometer, baby clothes, educational books and other items McPhee said a first-, second- or third-time parent can sometimes forget about.
In total, 200 boxes have been budgeted for over the next two years at $100,000.
"We expect that it'll go into the budget for Health and Social Services going forward," McPhee said.
McPhee previously hinted the project was coming after a trip to Scotland, which she said is one of 60 jurisdictions around the world with a "baby box" program or something like it. She said B.C. also runs a program.
The minister's nearly $13,000-expenditure on the trip to Scotland was heavily criticized as a "junket" by the Yukon Party.
Patti McLeod, Yukon Party MLA for Watson Lake, pressed McPhee in the legislature for taking a trip while rural health centres around the Yukon saw service reductions and rolling closures for days or weeks on end last summer and fall.
Editor's note: This story initially indicated eligible applicants must be at least 28 months pregnant. In fact, they must be minimum 28 weeks pregnant.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
