The Yukon government is increasing funding for the Yukon Hospital Corporation in 2026–27 to address cost pressures and increased patient volume, and support ongoing infrastructure planning.
Budget 2026 includes $151.2 million in operation and maintenance funding for Yukon Hospital Corporation, an increase of $15.8 million over 2025–26.
Capital funding of $13.9 million is included in Budget 2026, an increase of $8.6 million over the previous year. This investment includes $4.1 million to advance planning for the expansion of Whitehorse General Hospital, $5.2 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing system and $4.6 million in capital maintenance.
The Whitehorse General Hospital expansion project aims to address current and projected capacity pressures, including increasing demand for surgical services, inpatient beds and intensive care. The budget also includes $200,000, allocated to the Department of Health and Social Services, to support planning work led by the Yukon Hospital Corporation on an internal medicine program for Whitehorse General Hospital.
This funding increase for Yukon Hospitals is needed to support hospital services while responding to rising demand and cost pressures. We are also moving forward with the long-delayed Whitehorse General Hospital expansion project, which is needed to expand surgical capacity, add patient beds, meet future intensive care unit needs and upgrade the hospital to meet current and future needs.
Yukon Hospitals want to acknowledge the Government of Yukon’s support and shared commitment to the health of all Yukoners by prioritizing health services, supporting longer term initiatives such as Whitehorse General Hospital expansion and partnering to ensure the territory remains responsive as health needs evolve. In addition to an escalation to base annual operating funding, this year's budget allows the hospitals to have more senior nursing resources on the frontline, dedicated security support within the Fireweed Mental Health Unit, and an additional service day and support for rising chemotherapy costs within our cancer care service. Our team is committed to working with government to maintain open communication in order to respond to in-year financial pressures.
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Funding included as part of Budget 2026 is subject to legislative approval.
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On average, Whitehorse General Hospital exceeded 100 per cent bed capacity in 2024–25 and hit 142 per cent capacity recently.
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Demand for time-sensitive and critical services, such as cancer treatment, increased by 22 per cent in 2024–25 and is expected to have grown further since the 2025–26 fiscal year has ended.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Thibaut Rondel
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-7058
[email protected]
James Low
Communications, Yukon Hospitals
867-393-8742
[email protected]