Question Period Note: Sexually Transmitted Blood Borne Infections in First Nations Communities

Our Government is addressing HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted blood borne infections (STBBI) in Canada by working in partnership with First Nations and provinces.
Under Budget 2017, the Government of Canada committed an additional $37.5 million over five years towards services for Indigenous Peoples to address STBBI.
We support initiatives across the country to increase access to testing, follow-up and treatment.
We will continue working with partners towards the goal of Indigenous-led and delivered health services.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provides and supports culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention, education, awareness, and capacity building in communities and facilitates access to quality diagnosis, care, treatment, and support to First Nations living on-reserve. FNIHB also provides non-insured health benefits, such as antiretroviral medications for HIV-positive clients, to eligible First Nations and recognized Inuit, regardless of residence.

The Department’s Sexually Transmitted Blood-borne Infection program has adopted an integrated approach that targets common risk factors for these infections, such as addictions, and mental health issues and works with mental programming to support enhanced access, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. ISC has invested $37.5 million over 5 years, $11 million ongoing through budget 2017, and $4.5 million annually under the Pan-Canadian Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections Framework for Action (formerly Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada) for Sexually Transmitted Blood-borne Infection programming in First Nations communities. As part of this investment, ISC provides direct and indirect support to HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns through regional and National Aboriginal Organizations.

If pressed on increase of Syphilis cases nationally

Our Government is working with First Nations and provincial/territorial partners to address the increase of syphilis cases, especially in the Prairies where the rates are highest.
Outbreaks were declared over the summer in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.
In response to this, a national Syphilis Outbreak Investigation Coordinating Committee was formed to share data and information on public health responses.
We are continuing to work with the communities most impacted by the syphilis outbreak.

If pressed on Saskatchewan

An outbreak of syphilis in Saskatchewan First Nations communities was declared in July.
Our government is collaborating with First Nations communities, North Inter-Tribal Health Authority, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health to collaboratively respond to the outbreak.
In addition, active syphilis outbreaks managed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority are ongoing in the North Battleford, Regina, and Saskatoon areas within the province. At this time, a provincial outbreak has not yet been declared.

If pressed on Manitoba

An initial outbreak of syphilis was first reported in Winnipeg in 2012 by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, with outbreaks spreading later into other areas of Manitoba.
By 2015, federal officials had identified outbreaks in some First Nations communities in Manitoba.
Off-reserve, the Province is managing the active syphilis outbreaks across Manitoba.
On-reserve, ISC is managing the outbreaks in collaboration with First Nations, Tribal Councils, and Manitoba province.

If pressed on Alberta

The province of Alberta renewed a syphilis outbreak declaration in July 2019.
The Government of Canada is actively working with First Nations communities, to increase education, surveillance, testing, treatment and case management support across Alberta region.
My officials are working with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services, and the Provincial Outbreak Coordination Committee to develop a coordinated strategy and to determine concrete action in response to the current syphilis outbreak.

If pressed on Ontario

On July 30, 2019, a syphilis outbreak was declared in a community that is part of the Northwestern Health Unit catchment area in Ontario.
Five new confirmed cases were reported and were thought to be linked with an outbreak in Manitoba.
The Government is working with partners, including the community, the local tribal authorities and the local health unit, to address the outbreak.
No new cases have been reported in this community since August; however, screening for syphilis is ongoing.

If pressed on Northwest Territories

The Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for the provision of primary care services, including public health and prevention of communicable diseases, to all its residents.
The Government of Canada is providing $200,000 annually for two years to support the implementation of the territorial government’s action plan to reduce sexually transmitted and blood borne infections.
We continue to work with our territorial and Indigenous partners to address increasing rates of infection within the vulnerable population.

If pressed on Hepatitis C

The Government of Canada provides culturally safe screening of Hepatitis C, treatment and social supports to Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Services Canada supports point of care rapid testing and dry blood spot initiatives for HIV and Hepatitis C.
Treatments are available at any stage of illness, and are accessible through the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program for eligible First Nations and Inuit.
We will continue to work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to improve their quality of life.