Question Period Note: COVID-19 in Nunavut

• The health and wellbeing of Nunavut residents remains our top priority.

• The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the Government of Nunavut has the resources needed to continue responding to challenges presented by the pandemic.

Prior to November 6, 2020, there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nunavut residents. There were cases in various mines throughout the territory, however, they were not attributed to Nunavut’s COVID-19 statistics as the workers with COVID-19 were from different Canadian jurisdictions.

On November 6, 2020, the Government of Nunavut reported its first case of COVID-19 in a resident of Sanikiluaq. Since November 6, 2020, there have been 540 cases of COVID-19 in the territory; as of May 11, 2021, there are 75 active cases, 507 recovered and four deaths. The majority of these cases are attributed to the outbreaks in Arviat late in 2020 and the recent ongoing outbreak in Iqaluit.

Currently, there is an active outbreak in Iqaluit with evidence of community transmission. Travel is being limited to essential services, with strict isolation measures for those travelling in and out of the community. The Government of Nunavut’s public health is on the ground working around the clock undertaking contact tracing and containment efforts.

Proposals from both the Government of Nunavut (totaling $9,995,000) and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (totaling $10,810,400) were received on April 23, 2021. ISC has been leading interdepartmental collaboration to coordinate Canada’s response to Nunavut’s requests for assistance for various supports with food security, isolation alternatives, personal protective equipment, municipal services, child care and educational supports. Canada is able to support the majority of the Government of Nunavut’s request, totaling $7,145,000 and the entirety of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s request with an additional $1,500,000 for educational supports, for a total of $12,310,400. ISC is providing $16,310,400 to support these requests. The Public Health Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Correctional Services Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency are also involved in providing the supports requested and to best supporting the territory’s COVID-19 response efforts as rapidly as possible.

Breakdown of the supports being provided to Nunavut

Up to $7,145,000 to the Government of Nunavut, including:
• $3 million to support individuals or families in isolation (e.g., providing food and other social supports);
• $500,000 to increase enforcement of public health orders in communities with active COVID-19 cases;
• $500,000 for municipal services support, for example, to increase capacity to operate water and sewage trucks and deliver other essential municipal services;
• up to $750,000 in reallocated funding for the purchase of IT equipment and associated supports to assist Nunavut Arctic College in its efforts to migrate to distance learning; and
• up to $2.39 million to support early learning and child care services, including COVID-19 safety measures, to be finalized through the 2021–22 Bilateral Agreement.
$12.3 million to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, including:
• $5,775,300 to support food security in communities with active cases;
• $835,100 to assist with costs for Inuit residing in communities with active cases who need to isolate on the land;
• $4.2 million to support the costs of those who need hotel accommodations to isolate; and
• $1.5 million for IT equipment and increased bandwidth for K to12 students and college students in the affected communities.
ISC has provided more than $137.8 million in combined COVID-19 support to communities in Nunavut since the beginning of the pandemic.

If pressed on COVID-19 Cases in Nunavut
• As of May 12, 2021, there are 69 active COVID-19 cases in Nunavut, all in Iqaluit.

• The Government of Nunavut’s Public Health Team is working to trace, test, and contain the spread of the virus.

• As of April 17, 2021, travel to and from Iqaluit and Kinngait is restricted, and public health measures have been imposed.

• Most of the infected individuals are doing well and recovering, with four hospitalizations reported.

• The Government of Canada is providing more than $19 million to Nunavut in response to needs brought on by the COVID-19 outbreaks. ISC remains ready to support partners as new needs arise.  
If pressed on vaccines in Nunavut
• To date, 16,471 Nunavummiut have received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine and 12,931 are now fully vaccinated.

• All communities in Nunavut have had second dose vaccine clinics. Vaccine supply is available in all communities and residents and rotational workers are able to book vaccine appointments.

• As of May 11, 2021, 66 per cent of eligible adults in Nunavut have received a first dose, and 52 per cent have received a second dose.

If pressed on support to the territory
• On November 25, 2020, the Government of Canada provided more than $19 million to Nunavut in response to needs brought on by COVID-19 outbreaks in Arviat, Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove.

• ISC has provided more than $137.8 million in combined COVID-19 support to communities in Nunavut since the beginning of the pandemic.

• The Government of Canada will continue to support the Territory and its partners to provide assistance as required.

 
If pressed on health services in the North

• We are working with territorial and Indigenous partners to advance the health and safety of First Nations and Inuit in the North.

• While territorial governments are responsible for the delivery of health care in the territories, we work in partnership to ensure First Nations and Inuit have access to culturally safe supports and services, including on the land activities.

• In 2020-21, $45.7 million was allocated to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.

If Pressed on health services in the North during COVID-19:

• Our government is supporting Indigenous communities to implement culturally relevant emergency measures to promote on the land physical distancing.

• Last year, Canada invested more than $117 million in mental health and wellness supports related to the COVID-19 pandemic, of which $10.6 million was allocated across the three territories.

• In response to COVID-19, a pan-territorial Indigenous working group is in place and will continue to work with Indigenous partners to help them protect their health and safety during this pandemic.