Liberals and Yukon Party had chance to weigh in before bill introduced in legislative assembly Yukon Medical Association president Dr. Derek Bryant is calling on territorial political parties to cast aside their political differences to vote together on proposed legislation that a release suggests will “bring Yukon in line with the rest of Canada by securing representational rights, dispute resolution, and arbitration for its physicians.” Yukon NDP Leader Kate White introduced the bill titled an Act Respecting the Yukon Medical Association for first reading on March 31. The release notes the legislation fits into the association’s broader 10-year plan. The association represents Yukon doctors currently living and actively practicing in the Yukon. While taking questions from reporters alongside White in the lobby of the legislative building after the bill was brought forward, Bryant reiterated the importance of depoliticizing health care. “I think that all of our leaders currently are recognizing that the health-care system is at a state where we need to do more for Yukoners. We need to do more to improve access to care, and we need to do more to recruit and retain our physicians,” Bryant said. The release gives credit to the Yukon NDP for championing the bill using its legislative opportunity under the confidence and supply agreement with the governing Yukon Liberal Party. “I realize that we found an ally in the NDP, in terms of Kate being willing to actually work with us to bring forward legislation, and even proposing the idea that legislation is one way that we could address these problems, but since that time, I think that we’ve received some more support from all parties,” Bryant said. Bryant spoke about why representation matters for doctors. “Representational rights allows us to essentially represent physicians in a way that is accountable, transparent and just really clearly out in the open, so that everybody knows how to navigate the process. It can decrease administrative burden and ultimately increase physicians voice and their ability to advocate for themselves and for their patients.” White said the Yukon government and the Official Opposition Yukon Party had opportunities to provide feedback before the bill was made public. “This is an example of actually working together,” White said. The release also points to more than 90 letters of endorsement from Yukon doctors and backing from the Canadian Medical Association and provincial medical associations. The bill will require the support from MLAs from at least one of the other parties to pass the House. Health Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee said in a statement to media that she was happy to have her government significantly weigh in on Bill 310. McPhee highlighted the government’s relations with the medical association and commitment to supporting doctors and health professionals in the territory. The bill proposes to recognize the medical association as the sole bargaining agent for all medical practitioners in the Yukon, she noted. The proposed legislation indicates that relates to fees, salary and other forms of compensation. “We look forward to debating the bill in the House and exploring its potential,” McPhee said. “We believe the new structure has the potential to standardize the process and support the future of health transformation in the Yukon.” Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon noted his party’s involvement in developing the proposed legislation. Although his MLAs weren’t involved in the detailed drafting process, they were made aware of the ongoing discussions through the process. He looks forward to ensuring the final product reflects the changes they were told about up to date. “In general, we’re supportive of it, and I’m happy to see it come forward,” Dixon said. Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
Set aside politics to vote for NDP bill, Yukon Medical Association tells parties
