Question Period Note: Data Specific to Indigenous Communities

• First Nation, Inuit and Métis have a higher risk of being disproportionately impacted by COVID19.

• We recognize the value of Indigenous-led access to and analysis of accurate disaggregated data.

• This will support First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities in advancing culturally safe and science based approaches.

• Along with better access to testing, governments need to do better, more robust and routine collection of disaggregated data.

• We are taking active measures to address this data gap.

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If pressed – Larger Government Support
• In addition to the investment made by ISC, on April 23, the Prime Minister announced $10M for a larger, overarching Canadian data monitoring initiative.
• This initiative will establish a coordinated approach to COVID-19 modeling and access to data sets, through a national network of experts.
• Our absolute priority is and will remain the health and safety of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and we are taking active measures to address this data gap.

If pressed on First Nation, Inuit and Metis COVID-19 Tracking and Modelling
• It is crucial that we take a whole-of-government approach to slow the spread of this pandemic and to protect all Canadians.
• ISC is working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, Indigenous service partners, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to support ongoing identification and monitoring of and response to COVID-19 .
• This Indigenous-led data analysis will help to inform the response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
• We need the help of provinces and territories to support Indigenous communities to obtain a comprehensive data picture for public health actions.