Question Period Note: Preparedness

• During the COVID19 crisis, the health and wellbeing of First Nation, Inuit, and Metis has been and will remain our sole focus.

• We have taken immediate and significant action to ensure Indigenous communities are prepared for and addressing needs related to COVID-19.

• As of May 20, Indigenous Services Canada has processed and shipped 822 shipments of Personal Protective Equipment.

• We are closely accessing the need for additional health care professionals and have expanded existing nursing contracts to support emergency responses

• For communities that require alternative health infrastructure and resources, we are exploring all options with our partners to best meet communities’ needs.

• We will continue to work in close coordination with our partners to monitor outbreaks, provide personal protective equipment and stand ready to deploy additional resources as needed.

N/A

If pressed on medical staff:

• We acknowledge the concerns relating to the capacity of health professionals.

• We are expanding existing contracts to add additional nursing resources in First Nations communities as needed.

• We are also assessing the need for other health professionals such as paramedics and first line responders to help support emergency responses in community settings.

• We will continue to work with partners to ensure that Indigenous communities are prepared to respond to a COVID-19 outbreak.