Last week, the Yukon government pledged $401,000 to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods office.
“This is money well spent because it is helping Yukon communities address the impacts of trafficking and bootlegging,” said Justice minister Marian Horne in a release.
Since it opened on November 29, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods office has closed down five drug houses in Whitehorse.
The office responds to public complaints from concerned citizens about untoward activities in their neighbourhoods.
To date, the office has received 65 complaints.
“The SCAN legislation has proven effective and popular in addressing harmful activity in Whitehorse neighbourhoods,” said Horne.
The government will allocate $44,000 to Safer Communities’ capital expenditures and $357,000 for maintenance and operation of the office.
The money is subject to legislative approval. (GK)
Museums to get a boost
Yukon museums became $150,000 richer last week.
The funding increase will be used to boost the government’s museum operation budget to $843,000 for 2007-08.
“Our museums, interpretive and First Nation cultural/heritage centres give us a sense of our roots and contribute to our identity as Yukoners,” said Tourism and Culture minister Elaine Taylor in a release.
“We are fortunate to have many world-class institutions where visitors can learn about our culture and history, and Yukoners can celebrate their own contributions and accomplishments.”
The Yukon government currently offers museums more than $1.25 million in funding.
Tourism is also supporting the MacBride Museum’s expansion, with $729,000 in funding.
The Community Development Fund is providing $68,000 for the expansion and an additional $199,000 to support exhibit development costs.
“The Yukon government supports MacBride’s long-time aspirations of an expansion that would address programming and exhibit needs that ultimately contribute to the further development of the Whitehorse waterfront,” said Taylor in a release.
The money is subject to legislative approval. (GK)
Working for
women’s equality
On Monday, the Women’s Directorate announced a new fund for organizations working towards women’s equality.
“In Yukon, women’s organizations work to address a range of women’s equality issues including violence prevention, economic stability, education and skills advancement, poverty and safety,” said Taylor in a release.
The $175,000 in funding will be long term and sustainable.
And non-government organizations can apply for up to $35,000 a year, for up to three years.
Under the new program, possible funding areas include supporting services and programs, research and policy development, education and social action on women’s equality issues and supporting the development and capacity of women’s organizations. (GK)