Question Period Note: Indigenous Health

• We are working to close the gap in access to quality healthcare between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada, by:

o supporting 63 community-led mental wellness teams serving 344 Indigenous communities;
o approving more than 1,155,000 requests for products, services and supports under Jordan’s Principle since 2016; and
o providing coverage of health benefits to almost 900,000 First Nations and Inuit in 2020-2021.

• We are also working to ensure that health services are Indigenous-led and distinctions-based in order to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples, families, and communities.

If pressed on health services:
• We remain focused on supporting long-term investments that will improve the health and well-being of Indigenous communities.

• By listening to Indigenous communities, we have advanced shared priorities such as:

o Approximately 91% of mothers travelling for childbirth in 2020-21 were accompanied by at least one escort.
o Completing 202 of the 216 health-related infrastructure projects underway since 2016.

• We will continue working with partners towards improved health services and programs for Indigenous Peoples.

Remote First Nation Communities – Access to Health Services
• The best success comes from Indigenous-led and delivered health systems.

• It is why our Government is working with provincial and First Nations partners to achieve system-wide health transformation in First Nation communities.

• We are advancing work with partners in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia on Health System Transformation, with $107.1 million over three years starting in 2021-22 dedicated to support this work.

Distinctions-based Indigenous Health Legislation
• In a country as prosperous as Canada, no one should go without the care they need, when and where they need it.

• Indigenous Peoples have the right to high-quality health care and services that are adapted to their needs.

• We are committed to co-developing Indigenous Health legislation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis that responds to the realities of Indigenous communities and increases their control over the development and delivery of services.

If pressed on how distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation relates to COVID
• The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for strong mechanisms and adequate funding to ensure that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have access to high-quality health and mental health services.

• Canada is committed to working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to co-develop distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation through an agreed upon, collaborative engagement process.

• Co-development provides an opportunity to advance shared health priorities post COVID-19.

• Improving the health and wellness of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis remains a priority for the Government of Canada.

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

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

• In 2020-21, we allocated $40.4 million 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 three territories during COVID-19
• To date, $120.2 million in distinctions-based funding has been announced through the Indigenous Community Support Fund to address the immediate needs in northern Indigenous communities, including urban and off-reserve.

• $10.6 million in funding has been provided to help northern Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• These funds are in addition to the $40.4 million allocated in 2020-21 to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.

• A pan-territorial Indigenous working group has been established and will continue to work with Indigenous partners to help them protect their health and safety during this pandemic.

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 Indigenous communities in meeting their mental wellness priorities, such as addressing the impacts of the pandemic, responding to unmarked burials at sites of former Indian Residential Schools, and addressing the growing opioid and crystal methamphetamine 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.

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 $233.9 million over 10 years through the Nunavut Wellness Agreement for community wellness initiatives.

• In 2020-21, $26.8 million in funding was provided directly to the Government of Nunavut and community organizations for the coordination of 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, $40.4 million was allocated 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.

Suicide Crisis
• The loss of life from suicide is a tragedy beyond measure. Preventing suicide among Indigenous youth is a key priority for Indigenous leaders, organizations, communities, and youth. This is a priority we share.

• Our Government remains committed to working with Indigenous leaders, organizations and communities to support Indigenous-led approaches to suicide prevention and life promotion.

• Budget 2021 builds on previous investments with $597.6 million over three years for distinctions-based approaches to meet community mental health needs and priorities. This includes funding to enhance and expand suicide prevention and life promotion activities.

• We will continue to work in partnership to advance Indigenous-led approaches to address the social determinants of health.

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