Question Period Note: Health Supports for MMIWG Survivors

Our Government is committed to ending the ongoing national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
We have responded to the Commission’s Interim Report recommendation for additional health supports.
Over three years, we are providing $21.3 million in new funding to enable greater access to mental health, cultural and emotional supports for survivors and families.
We remain committed to supporting survivors and families as they seek answers about the systemic and institutional failures that have led to this tragedy.

New funding is in response to recommendations from the November 2017 Interim Report from the Commission requesting that the Government of Canada expand the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program and fund Indigenous community-based organizations to ensure that all those affected by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) have access to health and cultural support services for the remaining duration of the National Inquiry.
To access mental health, emotional and cultural support services, people affected by MMIWG are able to call Indigenous Services Canada’s regional offices and the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia. Indigenous Services Canada is working with partners to ensure that information about how to access services is widely available. Individuals affected by MMIWG who are in distress and require immediate emotional assistance can call the National 24/7 MMIWG crisis line.

How services will be delivered

We are working with Indigenous partners who can deliver community-based cultural and emotional health supports.
Emotional support workers will inform survivors and family members of available programs and services, and assist clients in accessing them.
Cultural support providers and mental health professionals will also provide services, from traditional healing to individual and family counselling.
We remain committed to supporting survivors and families as they seek answers about the systemic and institutional failures that have led to this tragedy.