Whistle Bend care facility mismanaged, says Yukon opposition
Opposition parties lambast the Yukon government for 'ignoring experts' on facility
Yukon opposition parties are crying 'foul' after internal documents reveal that the Yukon government disregarded expert advice on where to build the 300-bed extended care facility in Whistle Bend.
Emails, briefing notes and reports were obtained under an access to information request by Whitehorse resident Tamara Goeppel. She shared them with CBC.
The documents show that engineers warned against building the $268 million dollar facility in Whistle Bend, calling it the 'least desirable' location because of high silt, soil conditions,and a water table which makes the ground prone to frost heaves.
"it's not too late to put the brakes on this entire project. We need to slow down and get this right," says Yukon Liberal leader Sandy Silver. "This is another mismanaged project where the Yukon Party has ignored experts and made a political decision to proceed."
NDP health critic Jan Stick says the government made the decision without asking seniors, the medical community or the Yukon public.
"We were handed a 300-bed facility plan, without looking at any other options, not for small options in the communities, not for increased or enhanced home care. I don't think the homework has been done."
The Yukon government has declined to be interviewed. Instead it issued a statement, saying the location was determined after "an extensive planning process between officials and governments."
It says it will hold "targeted consultations" with seniors groups and other stakeholders, but reiterated that the final decision to build the facility in Whistle Bend is unchanged.