Question Period Note: Supports to 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 and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated have the resources needed to continue responding to challenges presented by COVID-19.
• On May 11, 2021, the Government of Canada provided more than $19 million in emergency pandemic response funding to Nunavut in response to needs brought on by the COVID-19 outbreaks in Kinngait and Iqaluit.

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If pressed on support to the territory
• To date, Indigenous Services Canada has provided Nunavut with $175.9 million in health support funding to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This includes funding to address increased health system pressures and to support Inuit communities directly.
• The Government of Canada will continue to support the Territory and its partners to provide assistance as required.

If pressed on COVID-19 Cases in Nunavut
• As of December 6, 2021, there is one active COVID-19 case in Nunavut. Nunavut has reported a total of 675 confirmed cases.
• Effective June 14, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to isolate either before entering the territory or once in-territory. Masks are mandatory in every community across the territory.
• Effective November 1, 2021, travel exemptions for unvaccinated workers will be limited. 

If pressed on vaccines in Nunavut
• As of November 30, 2021, 95 percent of eligible adults in Nunavut have received a first dose, and 84 percent have received a second dose. 82 percent of Nunavut residents aged 12-17 have received the first vaccine dose, while 71 percent have received a second dose.

• Nunavut has received sufficient doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine to provide one dose to children aged five to 11. Vaccine administration began in Iqaluit on November 29, and other communities will follow shortly after.
 
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 communities have access to culturally safe supports and services, including on the land activities.
• In 2020-21, $40.4 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 of this funding 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.