Question Period Note: Indigenous mental wellness and COVID-19

• We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is having profound impacts on mental wellness in many Indigenous communities. This includes magnifying existing inequities and creating new gaps and needs.

• Recent investments made by the Government of Canada are supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in meeting their mental wellness priorities, including addressing the impacts of the pandemic, confirmation of unmarked burials at sites of former Indian Residential Schools, and a growing opioid crisis.

• We continue to support Indigenous partners and communities to adapt and innovate mental wellness services to meet community needs and priorities.

If pressed on actions taken
• We continue to invest in Indigenous-led approaches to mental wellness.

• This includes a Budget 2021 investment of $597.6 million over three years for distinctions-based mental wellness approaches for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

• In August 2020, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $82.5M to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improving access and addressing growing demand within the context of the pandemic.

• The Government of Canada has also invested over $1.8 billion through the Indigenous Community Support Fund. This provided funding towards improving mental health support services.

If pressed on Budget 2021
• Budget 2021 announced $597.6 million over three years for a distinctions-based mental wellness approach for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

• This included the renewal of funding for crisis lines and funding that supports essential mental health, cultural, and emotional support to former Indian Residential Schools and federal Day Schools students and their families as well as those affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

• Through Budget 2021, the government is committing additional funding of $774.6 million over five years beginning in 2021-22 towards continued high-quality care through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, including mental health services.

Nunavut
• We are working in close partnership with the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to respond to the mental wellness needs of Inuit in the territory.

• Through this partnership, we are contributing $224.5 million over 10 years through the Nunavut Wellness Agreement for community wellness initiatives.

• In 2020-21, $19.9 million in funding is being allocated to the Government of Nunavut and community organizations for mental wellness teams and other mental wellness services.

• We will continue to work in partnership to address the needs of Inuit in the territory.

Territories
• The health and safety of First Nations and Inuit is one of
this Government’s highest priorities.

• In 2020-21, we are allocating $40.4 million to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.

• 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 the culturally safe supports and services, including on the land activities.

If pressed on COVID-19 and mental wellness in the territories
• We continue to work closely with partners to ensure that disruptions to the delivery of mental services are as limited as possible in the territories during the COVID-19 crisis.

• In response to COVID-19, emotional and cultural supports, and mental health counselling for former students of residential schools, federal day schools, and their families, and those affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls continue to be available virtually and in person, while respecting public health measures.

• In addition, we are supporting Indigenous communities to implement culturally relevant emergency measures to promote on the land programs that respect public health measures.

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