Appearance before the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs: Government's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic. Indigenous Services Canada. June 19, 2020

Logistics

Date: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Videoconference (Zoom)
Subject: Government's Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Appearing:

• The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services
• The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Supporting Witnesses from Indigenous Services Canada

• Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister
• Valerie Gideon, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
• Dr. Tom Wong, Chief Medical Officer of Public Health, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch
• Philippe Thompson, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer

Supporting Witnesses from Public Services and Procurement Canada

• Michael Vandergrift, Associate Deputy Minister
• Arianne Reza, Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch

Context

The Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs has been studying the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic since May 1st. During the INAN meeting on June 16, the members asked a variety of questions on the actions the Government has taken during the pandemic, as well as other Government initiatives. Questions were posed on housing (MP Bérubé [BQ]), the Inuit Child First Initiative, shelters for Pauktuutit, suicide prevention (MP Qaqqaq [NDP]), Jordan's Principle (MP Battiste [CPC]), CHRT rulings, and long-term drinking water advisories (MP Gazan [NDP]).

During previous meetings, opposition members have questioned the witnesses on the tools they need from the federal government to address COVID-19 and the re-opening of the economy (MP Qaqqaq [NDP], MP Bérubé [BQ] MP Schmale [CPC], MP Vidal [CPC] and MP Gazan [NDP]). Questions have also been raised by the Conservatives on the impact of the pandemic on non-renewable resources in Indigenous communities (MP Dalton, and MP Viersen). Federal government support for northern airlines during this pandemic has also been raised (MP Qaqqaq [NDP], MP Dalton [CPC], MP Gazan [NDP], MP Viersen [CPC] and MP Bérubé [BQ]). Witnesses have testified that northern airlines north of 60 are not receiving the support they need from the federal government.

A number of members of the Committee (MP Zimmer [CPC], MP Qaqqaq [NDP], MP Viersen [CPC], and MP Vidal [CPC]) have asked about whether there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) being distributed and whether more testing is needed. Opposition members have also asked questions on housing needs (MP Bérubé (BQ), data collection (MP Vidal (CPC) and restricted access to First Nation communities (MP Viersen (CPC). Some witnesses have indicated they do not have their own police force, and it has been difficult to keep people in communities, and stop people from entering their community.

The issue of youth has been raised frequently. MP Qaqqaq (NDP) indicated concerns about more mental health supports. Witnesses have indicated a need for more mental health supports for youth, including infrastructure (recreational centres, etc).

MP Qaqqaq (NDP) has probed witnesses on connectivity in northern and remote communities. Witnesses have pointed out that a lack of connectivity could become more problematic when school starts up again in the September.

It should be noted that the Conservatives have attempted to raise the Wet-suwet'en negotiations during several meetings (MP Zimmer, and MP Schmale). MP Schmale also introduced a motion to invite the elected chiefs to provide testimony on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the ability of the chiefs to enter into open and transparent negotiations regarding land rights and title with the federal government. The motion was voted down.

Speaking notes for the Honourable Marc Miller Minister of Indigenous Services at the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs

Ottawa, ON (virtual meeting)
June 19, 2020
12 p.m. to 1p.m.

Kwe, good afternoon, bonjour.

I would like to acknowledge before I begin that I am located on the unceded traditional territory of XX.

I am pleased to come before this Committee again this week to provide you with an update on the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on Indigenous communities, and our Government's response. The safety and the physical and mental health of all Canadians remains our Government's priority.

As of June 18, Indigenous Services Canada is aware of 271 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in First Nations. Of these, 214 individuals are considered to have recovered.

My department works directly with individual communities to identify and support local surge health infrastructure needs to strengthen the capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professionals deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.

A community's ability to respond to a public health crisis centers on its health facility, or nursing station. These are the places where community members can seek health information and advice from medical professionals, and where they can get tested and receive treatment for ailments and medical conditions.

In support of each community's preparedness to respond to the health care demands of COVID-19, ISC is regularly assessing nursing stations' stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medications, nursing surge capacities, as well as the availability and suitability of additional physical space that can be used in the event of a community outbreak.

I want to emphasize that community engagement is integral to understanding local needs to respond to COVID-19.

We understand that each community has its unique contexts. Our first approach is to identify if existing community infrastructure is available to re-tool to support surge health infrastructure needs.

As of June 17, Indigenous Services Canada has identified 88 community spaces that can be upgraded, or re-tooled, to serve as screening/triage, isolation, or accommodation for healthcare staff. Some of these spaces are being modified to provide additional protections to clients and staff — for example, installing cough shields at administration desks or flooring materials suitable for sterilization practices. Others are being equipped with medical and office equipment, beds and furniture, where necessary.

If a community requires surge health infrastructure, but cannot identify existing community spaces, then purchasing, delivering and installing additional infrastructure, such as mobile medical units, is an option.

ISC has procured 50 mobile medical units for pre-screening and triage and 82 multi-purpose accommodation units, such as mobile trailers or modular housing units for isolation purposes or accommodations of health professional staff.

Right now, we have 25 BLU-MED structures installed in 24 communities within Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. This infrastructure support is providing communities with the ability to have testing or screening spaces located outside of their health facilities — reducing the risks for community members, and on health staff who are also dealing with day-to-day health matters outside COVID-19. In fact, we have seen on social media a video posted from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory about the installation of their BLU-MED structure and how this is a benefit to the community.

In addition — in this unprecedented time — we need to ensure that we as a Government are ready to respond to First Nation community needs on short notice. As a result, we have 35 temporary mobile structures in storage for screening/triage, isolation, or accommodation for healthcare staff — 16 in Ontario and 19 in Manitoba — which are ready to be rapidly deployed as required. We are here to assist in the health and safety of First Nation communities.

I acknowledge that there have been concerns raised regarding the procurement of mobile medical units, specifically in Mathias Colomb First Nation. I want to confirm, that while my Department collaborated with Public Services and Procurement Canada to undertake a request for proposals to procure specialized mobile structures to support enhanced screening/triage, the isolation of community members, and additional accommodation space for health professionals, this was done in a proactive manner to ensure preparedness.

Moreover, we want to ensure that Mathias Colomb First Nation and other communities with similar needs have the resources they need, when or if they need them. While departmental officials are working closely with the leadership of the community to address their infrastructure needs — the information regarding the procurement process itself wasn't communicated to leadership. That was a miss-step on our part and we have apologized to Mathias Colomb First Nation.

My department values Indigenous-owned businesses, and has entered into a partnership with one Indigenous owned company as well as Norway House Cree Nation to work with ProMetal Industries Ltd. who is a 100% Indigenous owned company out of Pasqua First Nation. ProMetal Industries Ltd. is supporting the delivery, installation and maintenance of BLU-MED Response Systems and is also consolidating, prepositioning, and shipping related nursing supplies and generators required for screening/triage with the BLU-MED Response Systems.

In addition to health surge infrastructure, to date, the Government of Canada has made roughly $1.5 billion in distinctions-based funding available to Indigenous peoples and northern communities to support their efforts to successfully battle COVID-19.

With regard to personal protective equipment, my department procures and maintains a stockpile of PPE and hand sanitizer for use in Indigenous communities in the event of a health emergency.

The health and safety of all Canadians, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis continues to be our top priority. To support this priority, the distribution of ISC's PPE stock is based on public health guidance, and supports the delivery of essential health services.

We continue to work with provinces and territories, as well as our federal counterparts to ensure access to PPE for those living off-reserve and for Indigenous organizations supporting off reserve populations.

As of June 18, Indigenous Services Canada has responded to and shipped 988 requests for PPE to First Nations communities. It has distributed 234,854 gowns, 749,300 gloves and close to 577,102 procedural masks to compliment supplies received by provinces and territories. We continue to respond to and assess requests within a 24-hour turnaround time.

My department continues to work with communities, through our regional offices and healthcare experts to collect and validate critical information on individual community characteristics, such as the size, remoteness, and quality of existing infrastructure, which helps determine a list of priority communities and priority needs to support their preparedness and response efforts to COVID-19.

I will close by saying that we are committed to responding to the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis and to stopping the spread of COVID-19. We are committed to getting more nurses and paramedics, to more nursing stations and health centres-to help those who need it most.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, healthcare professionals have worked very hard in Indigenous communities. I would like to thank them again for their dedication and determination. Because of their professionalism, we know that quality and culturally appropriate care, testing and treatment are provided during this pandemic.

And I want to thank you again for this opportunity to meet with you, virtually, today.

I am happy to answer your questions.

Meegwetch. Nakurmiik [Nah-KOO-mick]. Marci. Thank you. Merci.

Key Messages:

• We are committed to support Indigenous communities to deliver services and programs, and address the unacceptable socio-economic conditions that persist today.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) totals to $1.7 billion, of which $950.5 million in statutory funding is mostly dedicated to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities prepare and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This $1.7 billion includes:
  • $468.2 million to support the First Nations Child and Family Services Program;
  • $232 million for continued implementation of Jordan's Principle;
  • $24 million to support local First Nation governance and administration;
  • $20 million to enhance the capacity of five Métis Capital Corporations;
  • $5 million for the Inuit-designed and Inuit-led National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy; and
  • $4.2 million to respond to the National Inquiry in to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
• With respect to the rest of the $1.7 billion, $305 million has been dedicated to the Indigenous Community Support Fund, $280.5 million is being used to enhance public health responses to COVID-19 in First Nation and Inuit communities, and $269.9 million is being allocated for income assistance.
• We will continue to focus on keeping children and families together, supporting quality education, building reliable infrastructure, bolstering economic prosperity and improving health outcomes, which will be particularly important within the context of COVID-19 pandemic.
• The total authorities for 2020–21 will be $14.5 billion.

Background

The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) for all departments were tabled in the House of Commons by the President of Treasury Board on June 2nd, 2020.

There have been a few other announcements recently to provide funds to compensate for those who suffer from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These items will be reflected in future supplementary estimates for Indigenous Services Canada. It includes:

• $75.2 million in new investment to support First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary and recent graduates;
• $440 million in funding to support Indigenous businesses and the Indigenous tourism industry.

Supplementary estimates

• Supplementary Estimates present information to Parliament on Government of Canada spending requirements not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) are directed and by invitation only.
• The directed Supplementary Estimates includes urgent items that have been approved by Treasury Board. It also contains items related to COVID-19 response measures. These items are statutory funding approved through the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.
• Departments were included in the Supplementary Estimates if they had demonstrated an anticipated cash pressure or an insufficient authority limit (i.e. grant ceiling).

2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A)

• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) reflects a net increase of $1.7 billion, which includes $950.5 million of statutory funding mostly related to COVID-19 response measures.
• The total authorities for 2020–21 will be $14.5 billion.

Explanation of Requirements 2019–20 — By Vote and Key Initiatives

• The net increase of $1.7 billion is comprised of:
  • $22.7 million in Vote 1 Operating expenditures for Jordan's Principle.
  • $730.5 million in Vote 10 Grants and Contributions primarily $468.2 million for Child and Family Services, $209.3 million for Jordan's Principle, $24.0 million for Band Support Funding, and $20.0 million for Metis Capital Corporation.
  • $950.5 million in statutory funding primarily for COVID-19 response measures.

Funding for Child and Family Services ($468.2 million)

Funding for health, social and education services and support for First Nations children under Jordan's Principle ($232.0 million)

Funding for the Band Support Program ($24.0 million)

Funding for the Métis Capital Corporations ($20.0 million)

Funding to continue implementation of the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy (5.0 million)

Funding to respond to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Final Report: Reclaiming Power and Place (horizontal item) ($4.2 million)

Payments to the Indigenous Community Support Fund pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($305.0 million)

Payments to enhance public health responses to COVID-19 in First Nations and Inuit communities pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($280.5 million)

Payments for Income Assistance pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($270.0 million)

Payments to urban and regional Indigenous organizations pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($75.0 million)

Payments to the Family Violence Prevention Program pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($10.0 million)

Payments to support Canada's initial response to COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act ($10.0 million)

Department of Indigenous Services

Messages:

• Too many Indigenous children are being taken from their families and communities, sometimes putting them in harms way.
• This is why we have increased annual funding for First Nations Child and Family services, with a focus on prevention.
• The First Nations Child and Family Services Program has an existing base budget of $1.2 billion.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $468.2 million in new funding to support the ongoing delivery of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
• Specifically, the funding is needed to:
  • further support the implementation of Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) rulings received prior to September 2019 ($272.7 million);
  • cover anticipated maintenance costs incurred by service providers ($82.6 million);
  • address pressures related to provincial agreements ($59.0 million);
  • to begin addressing gaps related to capital and to help mitigate future CHRT orders on major capital ($23.2 million);
  • address operating costs for new agencies ($6.5 million); and
  • Cover for the unpredictable costs associated with claims for reimbursement based on actuals ($24.2 million).
• This will bring the Program total Vote 10 budget to $1.6 billion.

If Pressed on the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families:

• The coming-into-force of the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families on January 1, 2020 marked a historic turning point.
• It put in place what Indigenous peoples across Canada have been asking for decades: that their jurisdiction over child and family services be affirmed so that they can decide what is best for their children, their families, and their communities.
• This legislation lays out flexible pathways for Indigenous peoples to move forward with their own models and laws, and choose their own solutions for their children and families.
• It also ensures that there is an appropriate framework for Indigenous children to be cared in a culturally appropriate way with connections to their communities and languages, no matter what service provider is engaged in their lives.
• Indigenous communities who want to exercise jurisdiction over child and family services will be able to do so at their own pace.
• The Act opens the door for First Nations, Inuit and Métis to choose their own solutions for their children and families.

Implementation of the Act:

• Just as the Act was co-developed with our partners, so will be its implementation.
• To continue engagement efforts, we are exploring with partners models for distinctions-based governance mechanisms. These distinctions-based mechanisms would be venues for partners to discuss issues relating to the transition and effective implementation of the Act and would be held at the community, regional and national levels.
• On-going engagement will proceed at a pace dictated by Indigenous partners, and will reflect the differing circumstances faced by communities across the country.
• We are dedicated to working in partnership toward the shared goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of Indigenous children.

Background

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)'s First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program provides funding to support the safety and well-being of First Nation children on reserve. Funding is provided to FNCFS agencies, provinces and the Yukon Territory to support the delivery of prevention and protection services on-reserve. ISC does not deliver the services. These services are provided in accordance with the legislation and standards of the province or territory of residence and in a manner that is reasonably comparable to those available to other provincial residents in similar circumstances, within ISC's Program authorities. Funding under the FNCFS Program is provided according to a prevention-based funding model.

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) found Canada's FNCFS Program to be discriminatory and ordered Canada to immediately remedy the discrimination. On February 1, 2018, the Tribunal added items to its previous order, including paying the actual costs of FNCFS agencies in prevention and other areas. The Department is working closely with the parties to the complaint — the Assembly of First Nations, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski-Nation, the Canadian Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International — to fully implement the various orders of the Tribunal.

In January 2018, the Government of Canada hosted an Emergency Meeting on Indigenous Child and Family Services, with national and regional Indigenous leadership, as well as federal, provincial and territorial governments, to discuss the causes that lead to the high rate of Indigenous children in care and how to work together towards systemic reform. At that meeting, the Government announced its commitment to six points of action that included the potential for federal legislation, as called for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #4; continuing to fully implement previous CHRT orders (from 2016 and prior to September 2019); reform First Nations child and family services including moving to a flexible funding model; and work with partners to shift the focus of programming to culturally-appropriate prevention, early intervention, and family reunification.

The Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families (Act) was co-developed with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners and received Royal Assent on June 21,2019. The Act will come into force on January 1, 2020.

On February 21, 2019, the CHRT addressed a new complaint regarding the definition of a First Nations child for the purposes of implementing Jordan's Principle, and issued an interim relief order stating that Canada "shall provide First Nations children living off reserve who have urgent and/or life threatening needs, but do not have (and are not eligible for) Indian Act status, with the services required to meet those urgent and/or life-threatening service needs, pursuant to Jordan's Principle".

On September 6, 2019, the CHRT released an Order on compensation. The Tribunal ordered Canada to pay the maximum amount of $40,000 ($20,000 for pain and suffering and $20,000 for wilful and reckless conduct) per child and parent or grandparent. Canada is required to report back to the Tribunal by December 10, 2019, on a compensation process agreed to by the complainants. A failure to reach an agreement will result in the panel ordering one of its own creation. On October 4, 2019 the Attorney General of Canada filed a Notice of Application for Judicial Review and a Motion to stay with the Federal Court. The compensation ruling remains in effect unless it is stayed by the Federal Court. A decision on the application for judicial review has not yet been rendered.

There remains four outstanding orders to come from the CHRT on the following issues: 1) major capital; 2) band representative services actual costs; 3) small agencies; and 4) the definition of a First Nations child for the purposes of Jordan's Principle.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, ISC has expanded eligible expenses to support First Nations agencies and communities in addressing emergency concerns. Additionally, ISC recently introduced a national temporary measure to ensure that services already funded through the First Nations Child and Family Services Program are maintained for all First Nations youth who reach the age of majority or who are past the age of majority but are in special care arrangements, between at least March 9, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Partners were informed in March 2020.

Key Messages:

• The Government continues to work with First Nations to ensure that Jordan's Principle is upheld and that First Nations children access the products, services and supports they need.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $232 million in new funding to support the continued implementation of Jordan's Principle to ensure Canada's compliance with legal obligations under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT). This brings the total budget for Jordan's Principle to $668.4 million.
• This funding will ensure that First Nations children receive access to the health, social and education products, services, and supports they need.
• Examples of these services and products include speech language pathology, physiotherapy, mental wellness supports, education assistance, and mobility aids.
• These services are making a difference in the lives of First Nations children. As these children grow and thrive, their communities will benefit in the short and long term.

Jordan's Principle Fact Sheet and Inuit Child First Initiative Fact Sheet:

• On April 23, 2020, the Jordan's Principle Fact Sheet and Inuit Child First Initiative Fact Sheet was distributed to Indigenous organizations and communities across the country, which provide First Nations and Inuit communities more information on the current approach for submitting requests during the pandemic. This includes:
  • COVID-19 and Jordan's Principle support for First Nations children; and,
  • COVID-19 and Inuit Child First Initiative support for Inuit children.
• Some examples of funded supports include:
  • Saskatchewan — Educational Assistive Devices — On reserve school received 150 iPads in order to provide academic, social and emotional support to students during the pandemic.
  • Nova Scotia — Increased Respite — [redacted]
  • Yellowknife — Groceries — [redacted]
  • British Columbia — Internet Access — [redacted]
• For Jordan's Principle (since March 20, 2020):
  • 258 products and services were approved for individual requests totaling approximately $485 020; and
  • 172 group requests were approved totaling approximately $2.45M.
• For The Inuit Child First Initiative (since March 20, 2020):
  • 48 products and services were approved for individual requests totaling approximately $45,480; and
  • 57 group requests were approved totaling approximately $540,750.

Background:

Jordan's Principle is a legal requirement, not a policy or program, resulting from the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) decision of January 2016, which ordered Canada to cease applying a narrow definition of Jordan's Principle and to take immediate measures to implement the full meaning of the principle. Since the initial 2016 CHRT decision, the CHRT has issued several subsequent remedial orders regarding how Jordan's Principle should be defined and implemented.

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed more than $600 million to meet the needs of First Nation children through an interim approach to Jordan's Principle. Budget 2019 invested a further $1.2 billion over three years to support the continued implementation of Jordan's Principle. In addition, Budget 2019 invested $220 million over five years to address the immediate needs of Inuit children as this Government continues to work with Inuit and other government partners to improve local capacity to deliver services.

In implementing Jordan's Principle, Service Coordinators were made available in communities across Canada who are funded by the Government of Canada and staffed by local Tribal Councils, Regional Health Authorities, Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations, etc. These service coordinators are the primary local contact for First Nations children and families. They work closely with the regional Jordan's Principle Focal Point contacts. In February 2018, a 24/7 Jordan's Principle National Call Centre was launched to help First Nations children access the products, services and supports they need.

The Spirit Bear Plan was developed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and is recognized and supported by the CHRT. In December 2017, the Chiefs-in-Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations provided their support for the Spirit Bear Plan, which is designed to address all inequities in federally funded public services.

In December 2019 the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance approved $232 million for 2019–20 and $232 million for 2020–21 in program integrity funding for Jordan's Principle.

Demand for critical health, social and education products and services for First Nations children under Jordan's Principle is forecasted to grow beyond the current funding profile. Additional funds are urgently required to meet demand and ensure Canada's ongoing compliance with the orders of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT).

• The number of approved requests (individual and group) under Jordan's Principle has been increasing exponentially each year since its implementation, with a corresponding increase in expenditures.
• Specifically, demand for Jordan's Principle in the first six months of 2019–20 exceeded the demand for all of 2018–19. Moreover, in 2019–20, an estimated 350,078 products and services were approved, compared to 140,332 for all of 2018–19.

Key Messages:

• The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to support accountable, strong, and transparent governance structures.
• The Band Support Funding Program supports First Nations in meeting the costs of local government and the administration of programs and services.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $24 million in new funding to support the cost of local First Nation governance and the administration of programs and services.
• The supplementary funding is an interim measure while the Department continues work on the modernization of the Indigenous Governance and Capacity Program, which includes Band Support Funding.

If pressed:

• First Nations, particularly those in greatest need, face challenges in developing the necessary capacity to manage core governance functions.
• Band Support Funding is normally allocated to all First Nations based on a nationally applied funding formula. This supplement is directed towards First Nations in greatest need of support for local First Nations governance and is calculated outside of the formula.
• For this supplement, the Department is using the Default Prevention and Management Policy to determine which First Nations are most in need.
• First Nations that are not eligible for supplementary funding are encouraged to access funding through the Professional and Institutional Development Program, for their governance capacity development initiatives.

Background

The Band Support Funding Program is the largest of the suite of four Indigenous Governance and Capacity programs.

Band Support Funding is provided to First Nations in the form of a grant. Its purpose is to assist band councils in meeting the costs of local government and core administration. It is the support for First Nation governance and of continued devolution of federal services to First Nations.

The main objective of the Band Support Funding grant is to provide a stable funding base to assist First Nation governments with the following governance costs:

• Band office maintenance services;
• Salary and travel for administrative staff;
• Allowance and travel for chief and elected officials;
• Office supplies;
• Utilities;
• Rent and equipment;
• Telephone and connectivity;
• Postage and bank charges; and/or,
• Annual audit and other professional fees.

The Program allows First Nations the flexibility to allocate funds according to their individual needs and priorities and be responsive in an environment of growing complexity and as they move toward self-determination.

Key Messages:

• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $20 million in new funding to the five Métis Capital Corporations to increase their ability to offer support for the establishment or expansion of Métis-owned small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
• These funds are part of the Government's overall commitment through Budget 2019 of $50M over 5 years.

Background

Economic Development is a key priority identified by the Métis National Council and its Governing Members. Many Indigenous entrepreneurs are assessed as high risk by mainstream banks. To fill the gap in the marketplace left by mainstream banks, a number of Métis Capital Corporations have been established. Métis Capital Corporations are Métis-controlled financial organizations which provide Métis entrepreneurs with access to capital through a lending model known as character-based lending.

Budget 2019 funding fosters economic development by encouraging institutional development for Métis, and by providing business loans, grants and business advice to budding Métis entrepreneurs. The funding will advance the establishment of distinctions-based support for Métis entrepreneurship by strengthening the position of the five Métis Capital Corporations. The Budget language allows the flexibility to use the funding for additional lending capital and/or for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program support.

Key Messages:

• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $5 million in new funding to support the continued implementation of the Inuit-designed and Inuit-led National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy (NISPS).
• This funding, provided under Budget 2019, is part of a total envelope of $50 million over 10 years, starting in 2019–20, with $5 million per year ongoing.
• In the long-term, this initiative will continue to advance evidence-based, Inuit-specific and Inuit-led actions at the national, regional and community level that are aimed at transforming Inuit society in ways that prevent suicide and make individuals and communities healthier.
• Funds are distributed to Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national Indigenous organization representing Inuit in Canada, and the four Inuit land claim organizations, or their designate.
• Building upon the first three years (2016–19) of implementation, the funding will continue supporting strengthened suicide prevention activities across Inuit Nunangat.

Background

Indigenous people in Canada are at a greater risk of experiencing complex mental health and substance use issues due to a variety of factors, including the intergenerational effects of residential schools and other consequences of colonization. Suicide is a significant concern in some communities, particularly in the North and in remote areas. States of emergency have been declared in several communities due to mental health and social crises.

Addressing the root causes of high rates of Indigenous youth suicide requires a holistic, whole-of-government approach that supports individual, family and community healing; addresses the legacy of residential schools, the sixties' scoop and other devastating impacts of colonization; and supports access to the social determinants of health such as self-determination, employment, and housing.

The responsibility for delivering mental health services is shared by the federal and provincial/territorial and Indigenous governments. The federal government supports First Nations and Inuit community mental wellness through a number of programs and services. Specifically, through the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, ISC supports and funds mental wellness programs and services in five key areas: community based mental wellness services; the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Health Support Program; the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program Mental Health Counselling Benefit; the Hope for Wellness Helpline; and Jordan's Principle — A Child First Initiative.

This fiscal, $425 million has been allocated to address the mental wellness needs of First Nations and Inuit. Since April 1, 2018, over $205 million dollars of requests for Mental Health services for First Nations children have been approved through Jordan's Principle. Since the beginning of the Hope for Wellness line (October 2016) until the end of March 2020 there have been 27,197 calls. Since April 2018 to the end of March 2020 there have been 4,267 Chats.

Budget 2019 provided $50 million over 10 years, and $5 million ongoing, for the renewed National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Key Messages:

• We know that Indigenous women face unique challenges such as accessing services and necessities that are linked to their safety and well-being.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) provides $4.2 million in new funding to address the need for violence prevention funding and shelters for Métis communities and support for Indigenous-led prevention initiatives for community awareness, including Indigenous men and boys.
• This funding contributes to the Government's response to the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls': Reclaiming Power and Place.
• Specifically, funding will address two Calls for Justice: the need for violence prevention funding and shelters for Métis communities; and, support for Indigenous-led prevention initiatives for community awareness, including with Indigenous men and boys.
• The Government is committed to doing what is right and what is necessary to address the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people.
• In response to a recommendation in the MMIWG interim report, ISC has been supporting cultural, emotional, and mental health supports for those affected by the issue of MMIWG since 2018.
• We recognize that the need for those important mental health supports will continue as individuals continue along their healing journey.
• The department is working with partners around how to support the ongoing healing of Indigenous populations from a variety of intergenerational traumas.

Background

On June 3, 2019, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place. The Final Report identified key areas for action, and contained 231 Calls for Justice. On February 27, 2020, an omnibus Treasury Board submission on the initial Government's response to the Final Report was approved. It included funding for ISC's Family Violence Prevention Program, to support: 1) engagement and community prevention projects targeted towards Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ2 people; and, 2) the Moose Hide Campaign in engaging men and boys in violence prevention. In 2020–21, up to $1 million will be provided to Métis organizations and up to $3 million to the Moose Hide Campaign Development Society to support the implementation of their Five Year Strategic Plan. The remaining funding is for Vote 1 — Operational Funding, including a new FTE (PM-04).

These activities are part of a preliminary response to the Final Report, in advance of the development of a National Action Plan. The Family Violence Prevention Program terms and conditions have been expanded to reflect the new activities approved through the Treasury Board submission. This funding addresses two Calls for Justice: 17.20 that speaks to the need for violence prevention funding and shelters for Métis communities; and, 7.3 that seeks support for Indigenous-led prevention initiatives for community awareness, including Indigenous men and boys.

Statutory Funding

$380,000,000 in new funding — 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A)

• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes the $380 million dedicated through the distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address the immediate needs in First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation communities in responding to COVID-19.
• This includes $215 million for on-reserve First Nations and self-governing communities; $45 million for Inuit regions; $30 million for Métis Councils; and $90 million for regional, urban, and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.
• Funding provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund has been used by communities to respond to the crisis by:
  • Ensuring that community members continue to have access to food, essential goods, and cleaning supplies;
  • Strengthening community security and communications;
  • Providing supports for families and children such as technology to support e-learning;
  • Creating accommodations as required for self-isolation and quarantine measures; and,
  • As needed supports for populations at risk, such as elder care.
• This distinctions-based approach has allowed communities maximum flexibility to identify and respond to their own needs.

Background

Recognizing that many Indigenous communities face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19, the Government of Canada has directed funds to support their specific needs during the pandemic (e.g., public health, shelters, immediate needs, food supply, small and medium enterprises, and post secondary education).

$380M was provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund. $290M of this fund was targeted to Indigenous communities to address immediate needs that would otherwise be addressed by other levels of government in non-Indigenous communities ($215M for First Nations, $45M for Inuit, $30M for Métis). To maximize flexibility of what Indigenous leadership could use funding for, eligible expenses were intentionally left very broad. Funding has been used by communities in a variety of ways including:

• Direct payments to members;
• Supports for non-health essential workers such as community staff, drivers, cooks, cleaners, and road security (e.g., purchase of personal protective equipment, wages, setting up home offices, etc.);
• Food, essential goods, and cleaning supplies (e.g., access/supply, transportation, and storage);
• Community security and communications;
• Supports for families and children (e.g., technology to support e-learning, child care, etc.);
• Accommodations as required for self-isolation/quarantine measures;
• As needed supports for populations at risk (e.g., access to mental health supports; elder care, etc.); and,
• Rent subsidies.

The remaining $15M was set aside for off reserve Indigenous peoples and regional organizations to access through a proposal-based approach. As the cost of proposals received far exceeded the original amount set aside, an additional $75M was provided for proposals received prior to April 13th.

To facilitate the swift delivery of funding, two existing programs were used (Emergency Management Assistance Program, Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples). The terms and conditions of these programs were modified to allow them to be used for this purpose. For the most part, Indigenous communities have received the funds they were allotted in early April.

As funding provided through the initial investment in the Indigenous Community Support Fund comes to an end, many First Nations communities and Indigenous Services Canada regional offices have reported that there will be ongoing needs at the community-level particularly in relation to: security measures, long-term care supports, ensuring competitive wages for essential workers, continued delivery of essential services in community (including meeting occupational health and safety obligations), mental health and addictions treatment including traditional practices, and measures to secure the food supply chain.

Key messages:

• The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nation and Inuit communities in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples have an elevated risk of infection and serious health effects from COVID-19.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes $280.5 million in funding to support a rapid and efficient public health response in order to respond to the current COVID-19 pandemic in First Nation and Inuit communities.
• The investment will fund community-led responses to the pandemic, and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nation communities.
• This includes additional surge nursing capacity in remote and isolated First Nation communities where Canada is responsible for the provision of primary care, as well as public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• In case of outbreaks, this funding can be drawn upon to provide surge capacity and additional support for community-based services in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Background

On May 29, 2020 the Prime Minister announced $285.1 million to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities. The investment will fund community-led responses to the pandemic, and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nations communities. In case of outbreaks, this funding can be drawn upon to provide surge capacity and additional support for community-based services in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

$4.6 million of these funds are being provided to Public Services and Procurement Canada and Shared Services Canada, with the remaining $280.5 million being provided to ISC.

This funding will enable the Department to:

• increase the primary health care resources directly serving remote and isolated First Nations communities;
• support the acquisition of additional temporary assessment, screening, and isolation units for remote and isolated First Nations communities, as well as necessary medical equipment and supplies;
• support First Nations and Inuit communities across the country to address the additional public health activities required to protect individuals, families and communities from the spread of COVID-19, such as infection prevention control measures; and,
• in case of outbreaks, provide surge capacity and additional support for community-based services in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

Persistent challenges in First Nations and Inuit communities create vulnerabilities in the ability to address disease and outbreak risks. First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada experience lower health outcomes than other Canadians and are at a heightened risk of being ill equipped to manage outbreak responses.

Additionally, lack of access to safe drinking water and overcrowding remain issues in First Nations and Inuit communities, which are of particular concern during a virus outbreak as it becomes more difficult to follow best practices such as frequent handwashing and to self-isolate in a household with many people. These factors, combined with the unpredictability of a new and very contagious virus, make it critically important to ensure immediate precautions are taken to mitigate against the potential impacts of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

Key Messages:

• COVID-19 has increased the demand in many First Nation communities for income assistance for individuals on reserve who find themselves without a job, and may not be eligible for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes $270 million in funding to respond to financial pressures to the Income Assistance program for essential living expenses due to COVID-19.
• This funding will help ensure First Nations individuals and families who rely on income assistance will be able to cover their essential living expenses during these uncertain times.

Background:

The Income Assistance program provides funding to assist eligible individuals and families living on reserve with: basic needs, special needs, employment and pre-employment measures designed to increase self-reliance, to improve life skills and to promote greater attachment to the work force.

Income assistance, in general, falls under provincial/territorial jurisdiction. Provincial/territorial governments set rates and eligibility criteria. The ISC Income Assistance program mirrors provincial/territorial rates and eligibility criteria.

Key Messages:

• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes $75 million in funding to help Indigenous organizations and communities providing services to Indigenous peoples in urban centers or First Nations off reserve to prevent, prepare and respond to COVID-19, as was announced on May 21, 2020.
• This funding will support critical needs of Indigenous peoples living in urban centres or First Nations off reserve such as PPE, food security, and cleaning supplies.
• This funding is in addition to the initial $15 million provided through the Indigenous Community Support Fund. It is designed to give communities maximum flexibility to address local priorities and needs.
• This funding will support Indigenous community-based solutions that address critical needs to combat COVID-19.

If pressed on funding:

• First Nation, Inuit and Métis living in urban centres face unique needs and challenges. We heard loud and clear that more support was needed for Indigenous organizations working and operating in urban centres to respond to COVID-19.
• That is why we are investing $90 million under the Indigenous Community Support Fund for these organizations supporting Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and First Nations off reserve.
• This funding will support Indigenous community-based solutions that address critical needs to combat COVID-19.

If pressed on urban supports:

• The initial $15 million, allocated to off-reserve First Nations and urban Indigenous organizations through a proposal-based process, was oversubscribed, with over 500 proposals.
• That is why we allocated an additional $75 million to organizations and groups serving Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and off reserve.
• We have streamlined the process to flow funds quickly and directly to Indigenous communities and groups across the country.
• As of June 4, $13.6 million of the initial $15 million has flowed to organizations and we expect the new funding to start flowing by mid-June.

If pressed on Community Support Fund Allocation:

• The $90 million of funding allocated to urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations is designed to give communities maximum flexibility to address local priorities and needs.
• It can, for example, provide support for:
  • Increased transportation costs within and outside of communities for community members who can no longer use public transportation;
  • Goods for community members who are in preventative isolation or quarantine;
  • Elders; and,
  • Food bank/nutritional assistance: community care packages of food, water, cleaning products, nutritional supplements.
• We continue to actively work with Indigenous communities to identify and deliver the specific supports they need.

If pressed on CAP Court Challenge:

• Indigenous Services Canada is aware of the court challenge brought forward by the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
• Since the beginning of this pandemic, urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations, along with local community organizations, have been working around the clock to provide direct services to Indigenous peoples.
• In response to these needs and in support of service-delivery organizations on the front-lines of COVID-19, Indigenous Services Canada has taken immediate action to support these organizations through the Indigenous Community Support Fund within which $90 million was allocated to urban and off-reserve Indigenous organizations.
• Indigenous Services Canada has approved $250,000 to CAP to assist with their efforts in supporting Indigenous peoples during COVID-19 from the initial $15 million and are eligible for the additional $75 million.
• This funding allocation is just one part of the Department's response to the pandemic, which is complemented by actions taken across the Government to support the most vulnerable during this time.
• We continue to actively work with communities to identify and deliver the supports to make sure no Indigenous community is left behind.

Background :

Key Messages:

• We know that Indigenous women face unique challenges such as accessing services and necessities that are linked to their safety and well-being, particularly during COVID-19. Shelters in First Nations communities provide a vital place of refuge for women and children escaping violence.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes $10 million in funding intended to help the 46 emergency shelters in First Nation communities and in Yukon to support Indigenous women and children escaping violence.
• These new funds will provide shelters with additional capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.

Background

Key messages:

• Canada recognizes that Indigenous peoples have an elevated risk of infection and serious health effects from COVID-19.
• The 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (A) includes $10 million in funding to support the immediate phase of the ongoing federal public health response in First Nation and Inuit communities, including sustaining health services, supporting human health resources, and purchasing portable structures for rapid assessment and testing.
• This funding is part of the $100 million investment announced on March 11, 2020 to support federal public health measures such as enhanced surveillance, increased testing at the National Microbiology Laboratory, and ongoing support for preparedness in First Nation and Inuit communities.
• This funding is helping to address the most immediate needs of First Nations and Inuit communities as part of the Government's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This includes surge nursing capacity in remote and isolated communities, medical equipment and supplies, and temporary assessment, screening, and isolation units.

Background

On March 11, 2020, the Prime Minister of Canada announced $1 billion in funding to support Canada's COVID-19 response. This includes $100 million to support federal public health measures, such as enhanced surveillance, increased testing at the National Microbiology Laboratory, and ongoing support for preparedness in First Nations and Inuit communities.

Of this $100 million, $10 million in Vote 1 Operating funds are being provided to Indigenous Services Canada to support the initial COVID-19 response, to support:

• temporary isolation and screening units in communities;
• additional contracted primary care nurses and/or paramedics or other healthcare providers (surge capacity);
• medical equipment (e.g., oxygen, portable digital x-ray, IV equipment, resuscitation equipment);
• overtime costs for existing nursing capacity and related travel costs;
• community level infection prevention and control (e.g., hand sanitizer, soap, disinfectants);
• transportation for contracted primary care nurses;
• emergency shelter costs for nurses, given limited availability of accommodations in First Nations communities; and,
• translation of public health materials into Indigenous languages and for interpreters.

Persistent challenges in First Nations and Inuit communities create vulnerabilities in the ability to address disease and outbreak risks. First Nations and Inuit communities in Canada experience lower health outcomes than other Canadians and are at a heightened risk of being ill equipped to manage outbreak responses.

Additionally, lack of access to safe drinking water and overcrowding remain issues in First Nations and Inuit communities, which are of particular concern during a virus outbreak as it becomes more difficult to follow best practices such as frequent handwashing and to self-isolate in a household with many people. These factors, combined with the unpredictability of a new and very contagious virus, make it critically important to ensure immediate precautions are taken to mitigate against the potential impacts of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

Key Messages:

• The department consults directly with individual communities to identify and support local surge health infrastructure needs to strengthen the capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professional staff deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.
• Community engagement is integral to understanding local needs to respond to COVID-19, and we understand that each community has its unique contexts. Our first approach is to identify if existing community infrastructure is available to re-tool to support surge health infrastructure needs.
• As of June 10th, 2020, ISC has funded 148 mobile units to serve the surge infrastructure needs of communities to respond to COVID-19. ISC has identified 88 community spaces that can be upgraded, or re-tooled, to serve as screening/triage, isolation, or accommodation for healthcare staff.
• ISC has directly procured a total of 41 mobile units, of these, 22 have been installed and 3 are soon to be installed. The remaining units are in storage hubs and are ready to deploy to communities who need them. Communities who have received funding for mobile structures are working directly with vendors on installations.
• Communities can work with vendors to procure these structures or the department will work through Public Services and Procurement Canada's competitive process. If the competitive process is chosen, PSPC would advise on procurement options to determine the most appropriate mechanisms in procuring these units.
• To meet specific needs in Ontario and Manitoba, PSPC, on behalf of ISC, launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 10th, 2020 resulting in the awarding of two contracts.
• ISC completed the technical evaluation and PSPC completed a financial evaluation, vendor performance corrective measure, integrity check, and assessed delivery timelines for the 15 bids identified.
• Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Canada has been working with communities to identify surge health infrastructure needs to support the community's capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professional staff deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.
• We will continue to work closely with individual communities and partners to coordinate resources and keep communities safe.

If pressed if a community does not want a mobile unit:

• COVID-19 is a serious health threat, and the risk will vary between and within First Nation communities.
• Community engagement is integral to understanding local needs, which should be assessed on a case-by-case basis given unique contexts and variations between communities.
• To support community needs, ISC is working closely to identify community-specific health infrastructure plans and determine the necessary supplies and equipment for these spaces.
• As an initial step, a relationship must be established with Chief and Council to assess and determine options and opportunities for the community.
• ISC must ensure Chief and Council's consent prior to re-tooling existing community spaces or purchasing, delivering and installing a mobile unit.
• If a unit is purchased and it is not required by the community, ISC will work with and take direction from the community and their leadership to adjust plans accordingly.

If pressed on Dynamic Air shelters:

• Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous Services Canada has been working with communities to identify surge health infrastructure needs to support the community's capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professional staff deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.
• Community engagement is integral to understanding local needs to respond to COVID-19, and we understand that each community has its unique contexts.
• If a community requires surge health infrastructure but cannot identify existing community spaces, then purchasing, delivering and installing additional infrastructure such as mobile medical units is an option.
• The Department works with several companies to support surge temporary heath infrastructure needs of First Nations, including with Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd., through a contract managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada.
• Dynamic Air provides a range of emergency response shelters from its base in rural Newfoundland & Labrador.
• Upon request from First Nation community leadership, the Department can tap into those resources to meet the community's health infrastructure needs.

Background:

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed COVID-19 as a pandemic, FNIHB has been working with communities to identify surge health infrastructure needs to support the capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professional staff deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.

Community engagement is integral to understanding local needs pertaining to responding to COVID-19, which are being assessed on a case-by-case basis given unique contexts and variations from one to another. The primary approach is to identify if sufficient existing community infrastructure is available for re-tooling to support the communities needs for surge operations. If a community requires surge health infrastructure but cannot identify existing community spaces, then purchasing, delivering and installing additional infrastructure such as mobile medical units is an option. A list of specifications has been developed that can be shared with vendors to identify scope of work and can be modified to meet the region's/community's needs.

Once a community has determined the type and quantity of space required (i.e. screening/triage, accommodation, and isolation) they can either directly work with vendors and procure these structures (through a Vote 10 transfer to their contribution agreement from ISC) or a community could choose to go through a competitive method. Public Services and Procurement Canada would be engaged and advise on procurement options such as a Request for Proposals (RFP) which may provide an opportunity for vendors to submit a bid.

As of June 10th, 2020, ISC has mobilized 148mobile units to serve the surge infrastructure needs of communities to respond to COVID-19.

ISC has directly procured a total of 41 mobile units (BluMed Response Systems supplied by Pro Metal Industries Ltd.) to serve 24 communities. Of these:

• 25 BluMed Response Systems have arrived in the 24 destination communities — 22 have been installed and 3 are soon to be installed; and
• 16 BluMed Response Systems have been stockpiled (5 Winnipeg MB, 5 Norway House MB, 6 Sioux Lookout ON) to be rapidly deployed to other communities that need them.

There are an additional 19 temporary health structures that are stockpiled and ready to be rapidly deployed to communities that need them:

• 10 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario (supplied by Matrix Aviation Solutions); and
• 9 in Lundar, Manitoba (supplied by Dynamic Air Shelters Ltd.).

Finally, an additional 88 mobile structures have been purchased by 50 communities to serve their surge infrastructure needs.

As of June 10th, 2020, ISC has identified 88 community spaces that can be upgraded, or re-tooled, to serve as screening/triage, isolation, or accommodation for healthcare staff. Some of these spaces are being modified to provide additional protections to clients and staff — for example, installing cough shields at administration desks or flooring materials suitable for sterilization practices. Others are being equipped with medical and office equipment, beds and furniture, where necessary.

FNIHB has added the vendor information for Bâtiment Manitou International to our roster of vendor options that is used to support community requests.

If pressed on PPE procurement processes:

• Indigenous Service Canada's PPE stockpile is replenished via a national procurement process led by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
• To access PPE, communities work with Indigenous Services Canada in each Region to complete a PPE request form, which is then submitted for review and approval. PPE quantities are assessed against public health guidelines and level of services provided for essential health service delivery, or family members taking care of those who are sick.
• PPE is shipped to communities from a storage facility housing the Indigenous Services Canada stockpile, using Canada Post or Purolator, pending their delivery locations.
• Indigenous Services Canada has supported communities during COVID-19, who have purchased PPE direct from suppliers to support broader needs (i.e. First Nation police, non-health care workers).

Taskforce membership:

• The members of the Taskforce are pan-Indigenous and have come together to support Indigenous economic issues facing entrepreneurs and communities.
• Member organizations include:
  • Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers
  • National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association
  • Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
  • Assembly of First Nations
  • Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
  • Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
  • National Indigenous Economic Development Board
  • Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
  • Imagination Group

How ISC supports the Taskforce:

• Indigenous Services Canada provided funding to assist in developing, delivering and analyzing a survey of Indigenous businesses and communities, and to develop a database of certified Indigenous suppliers.
• The survey will provide valuable information to help us understand how Indigenous businesses and communities are being affected by the pandemic.
• The database includes registered Indigenous businesses that are interested in supplying personal protective equipment and/or other COVID-19 goods or services to the Government of Canada.

If Pressed on Funding:

• Indigenous businesses are backbones of communities across the country and are an important part of the Canadian economy.
• We recognize that these businesses face unique challenges and may be disproportionately affected by this unprecedented situation.
• That is why we are providing up to $306.8 million in funding to help Indigenous businesses and to ensure business owners have access to the support they need to get through this crisis.
• It is estimated that 6,000 Indigenous-owned businesses will benefit from this funding.
• We will continue to take action to protect the health and safety of Canadians and to stabilize our economy.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy

• We know First Nation governments and their businesses are concerned about their eligibility for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy that is in place to respond to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Taxable Indigenous government-owned corporations are already eligible for the wage subsidy.
• Indigenous Services Canada and the Department of Finance have worked together to bring clarity to this issue and to find a solution.
• We have adjusted the eligibility for the wage subsidy to include Indigenous government-owned corporations and partnerships to support them in retaining employees who are still on the payroll and to rehire workers previously laid off.
• This means that corporations carrying a business that is at least 90 percent owned by one or more Indigenous governments, or who have Indigenous governments as partners, will be eligible for the wage subsidy.

Key Messages:

• The safety and security of all Canadians during these unprecedented times is the Government's top priority.
• The Department is supporting communities to implement or revise their emergency management plans where necessary.
• Indigenous Services Canada will continue to stay in close communication with communities to ensure the health and safety of First Nations on reserve should a natural emergency arise within the context of COVID-19.
• Through investments in structural mitigation under the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program and the First Nations Infrastructure Fund, we support the health and safety of First Nations, protect Canada's investments in infrastructure assets, and support community resilience through strategic investment planning for structure mitigation.

If pressed on Response to Wildfire Emergency Events:

• COVID-19 presents an increased layer of complexity especially in the event of an evacuation related to emergency events such as a flood or wildfire.
• ISC is working with other federal and provincial/territorial governments and First Nation partners to develop effective emergency planning and responses to ensure the health and safety of all community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• First Nation communities have been working closely with provincial partners and ISC representatives to implement wildfire mitigation measures and provide solutions to protect their communities from wildfires, while keeping their members safe in the context of COVID-19.

If pressed on Response to Flooding Emergency Events:

• COVID-19 presents an increased layer of complexity especially in the event of an evacuation related to emergency events such as a flood or wildfire.
• ISC is working with other federal and provincial/territorial governments and First Nation partners to develop effective emergency planning and responses to ensure the health and safety of all community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• First Nation communities have been working closely with provincial partners and ISC representatives to implement flood mitigation measures and provide solutions to protect their communities from flooding, while keeping their members safe in the context of COVID-19.

If pressed on Climate Change — Disaster Mitigation Efforts:

• We know that many Indigenous communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change related risks because of a variety of factors, which can include: remoteness, community size, socio-economic conditions or limited access to emergency management resources.
• This is why, through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, we are working with our partners to ensure the health and safety of First Nation residents from natural or accidental emergency events.
• Further, we continue to work towards formalizing emergency management agreements to support First Nations as full and equal partners.

If pressed on Emergency Management Assistance Program Enhancements:

• We are focused on supporting First Nation efforts to enhance their community's capacity and preparedness activities for emergency events especially in the context of COVID-19.
• Beyond COVID-19 relevant considerations, we are ensuring that culturally competent responses are provided during evacuations and we are placing an emphasis on improved community planning during the recovery phase.
• This approach has resulted in communities that are more resilient to emergency events, evacuees returning home faster and the reduction of livelihood disruption.

If pressed on COVID-19 Response and Emergency Events:

• COVID-19 presents an increased layer of complexity especially in the event of an evacuation related to an emergency events such as a flood or wildfire.
• We are working with provincial/territorial governments and First Nation partners to develop effective emergency planning and responses to ensure the health and safety of all community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background:

There are various funding arrangements or agreements between the Department, the provinces, territories and third party organizations for the delivery of emergency management services for on-reserve communities. These agreements provide First Nation communities' access to emergency assistance services. They also provide an assurance to the provinces and territories that the Department will provide funding to cover costs related to emergency assistance in First Nations so that responses can be implemented rapidly and without unnecessary delay.

The Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) has an annual budget of $64.9M :

• $19.1M: preparedness and non-structural mitigation projects and service agreements
• $16.5M: wildfire management services agreements with provinces
• $29.3M: response and recovery activities

Response and recovery costs have consistently exceeded existing funding of $29.3M requiring the Program to return to Treasury Board for additional funding [redacted].

Budget 2019 announced $211M over five years of new spending for Emergency Management on-reserve; this will focus on:

• Enhancing EMAP's existing First Nation-led emergency preparedness and non-structural mitigation;
• First Nation-led engagement on emergency management service agreements; and,
• First Nation emergency management capacity building.

Key Messages:

• During the COVID-19 crisis, the health and wellbeing of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis will remain our main priority.
• We have taken immediate and significant action to ensure Indigenous communities are addressing needs and are prepared for the pandemic.
• As of June 2nd, 2020, Indigenous Services Canada has processed and shipped 885 orders of Personal Protective Equipment.
• We are closely assessing the need for additional health care professionals and have expanded existing nursing contracts to support emergency responses.
• For communities that require surge alternative health infrastructure and other 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.

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 Nation communities as needed.
• We are also facilitating the support of other health professionals such as physicians, 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.

If pressed on the second wave of COVID-19:

• Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous communities have been leading the response to protect the health and wellbeing of their communities, including closing community borders and practicing physical distancing.
• Indigenous Services Canada is continuing to work with provinces and territories to ensure Indigenous communities can access provincial/territorial personal protective equipment stocks.
• With the outbreak of COVID-19, the Department continues to respond to urgent needs in a timely and flexible manner. This response will continue should there be a second wave of COVID-19.
• Indigenous Services Canada continues to support community preparedness with ongoing investments, for example, with the recent announcement of $285.1 million to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
• The investment will fund community-led responses to the pandemic, increase in primary health care resources for First Nation communities, surge capacity, and additional support for community-based services in First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities.
• The Government of Canada is optimistic about the work currently underway by researchers to identify treatments and vaccines.
• Therefore, it is critical that Canadians continue to practice the proven measures to limit transmission: stay home and away from others if you are sick, wash your hands often, cover your cough with a tissue or your sleeve, practice physical distancing, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects, and protect those most at risk.

Background

We have taken immediate and significant action to ensure Indigenous communities are prepared for and addressing needs related to COVID-19. For communities that require surge alternative health infrastructure and other resources, we are exploring all options with our partners to best meet communities' needs.

As of June 1, we have procured the following to assist with space requirements for screening/triage, isolation, accommodations and storage:

• 64 multi-purpose accommodations units have been procured for direct delivery to 28 communities.
• 10 mobile isolation structures have been procured for stockpiling and subsequent deployment as needed (hold/ship).
• 26 screening/assessment units have been procured for direct delivery to 22 communities.
• 23 screening/assessment units have been procured for stockpiling and subsequent deployment as needed (hold/ship). To date, 4 of these structures have been deployed to communities.
• 14 storage units have been procured for direct delivery to 11 communities.

As of June 1, we have also initiated 49 minor capital projects, including 31 capital retool projects to allow existing spaces that are available (e.g. schools and daycares, construction camps, arenas, community halls, youth centres and former nursing stations) to serve as additional health spaces.

We have also supported 12 hotel rental solutions and 9 space rental solutions that have been initiated by 16 communities and 3 Tribal Council organizations.

43 sites have been identified for potential supplies and equipment retooling in 41 communities.

If Pressed on Air Travel Supports for Nursing Staff:

• During the pandemic, all fly-in Indigenous communities where Indigenous Services Canada employs nursing staff south of 60 will be served by the Department's Collaborative Air Response Efforts (CARE) airline to ensure continuity of service, while minimizing the risk of transmission.
• This initiative provides a revenue stream to airlines serving Indigenous communities, helping to support their economic long-term viability.
• As of June 3rd, 668 nurses and other health care providers have been safely transported.

Key Messages:

• We recognize the concerns about capacity and resources in Indigenous communities related to the COVID-19 response.
• This is why we are actively working to:
  • Expand existing nursing contracts to address needs in First Nation communities;
  • Assess the need for other health professionals such as physicians, paramedics, and first line responders to help emergency responses;
  • Help coordinate with provinces and territories or supplement supplies such as personal protective equipment, bottled water, and hand sanitizer where needed; and
  • Identify if existing community infrastructure is available to re-tool in order to support surge health infrastructure needs. If a community requires surge health infrastructure but cannot identify existing community spaces, then purchasing, delivering and installing additional infrastructure such as mobile medical units is an option.
• With a reduction in commercial flights and travel restrictions in place, we need to ensure that we have a stable and secure means to transport health professionals and needed supplies to and from remote First Nation communities.
• To this end, we are working to organize regularly scheduled chartered flights across the country to ensure the continued movement of health care workers and supplies while minimizing the exposure of communities to infection.
• We will continue to work with partners to protect the health and safety of First Nation, Inuit and Metis nation communities.

Insufficient Community Infrastructure:

• We recognize the infrastructure challenges faced by many First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities.
• We are exploring all options to address COVID-19 community surge health infrastructure needs, including supporting screening/triage, isolation, and accommodations for health care professionals.
• We have been clear that supports for Indigenous communities are not limited by financial capacity.
• We will continue to work closely with individual communities and partners to coordinate resources and keep communities safe.

If pressed on COVID-19 and Drinking Water Advisories:

• During a Boil Water Advisory or Do Not Consume Advisory, tap water can still be used to wash hands with soap and water and for personal hygiene.
• If a Do Not Use Advisory is in place, bottled water with soap or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol should be used to wash hands.
• Letters have been sent to First Nations communities currently on a Drinking Water Advisory. For these communities, ISC provides supplies such as bottled water and hand sanitizer where needed.

Background:

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) assessed COVID-19 as a pandemic, FNIHB has been working with communities to identify surge health infrastructure needs to support the capacity to screen, triage, and isolate in the event of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, and to accommodate additional health professional staff deployed to communities to respond to COVID-19.

Community engagement is integral to understanding local needs pertaining to responding to COVID-19, which are being assessed on a case-by-case basis given unique contexts and variations from one to another. The primary approach is to identify if sufficient existing community infrastructure is available for re-tooling to support the communities needs for surge operations. If a community requires surge health infrastructure but cannot identify existing community spaces, then purchasing, delivering and installing additional infrastructure such as mobile medical units is an option. A list of specifications has been developed that can be shared with vendors to identify scope of work and can be modified to meet the region's/community's needs.

Once a community has determined the type and quantity of space required (i.e. screening/triage, accommodation, and isolation) they can either directly work with vendors and procure these structures (through a Vote 10 transfer to their contribution agreement from ISC) or a community could choose to go through a competitive method. Public Services and Procurement Canada would be engaged and advise on procurement options such as a Request for Proposals (RFP) which may provide an opportunity for vendors to submit a bid.

FNIHB has added the vendor information for Bâtiment Manitou International to our roster of vendor options that is used to support community requests.

Key Messages:

• We recognize that Indigenous post-secondary students are facing unique challenges as a result of COVID-19.
• We are investing $75.2 million in 2020–21 to support students through the existing First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary strategies to address increased costs resulting from the pandemic.
• This includes $2.52M for Inuit students, $7.24M for Métis Nation students, and $65.5M for First Nation students.
• Funds may be used to support students with expenses such as tuition for summer enrolment or additional academic terms, technology and equipment to support online course delivery, living expenses and child care.
• In addition to this, Indigenous students can also access the $9 billion in supports for post-secondary students and recent graduates that the Prime Minister announced on April 22, 2020, including the Canada Emergency Student Benefit.

Background:

Key Messages:

• Shelters in Indigenous communities provide a vital place of refuge for women and children escaping violence.
• $50 million was allocated to women's shelters and sexual assault centres across Canada to help with their capacity to manage or prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in their facilities.
• This includes $10 million in direct funding for 46 First Nations emergency shelters on-reserve and in Yukon to support Indigenous women and children fleeing violence.
• These new funds will provide shelters with additional capacity to manage or prevent an outbreak in their facilities.

If pressed — 12 New Shelters:

• While we urge Canadians to stay at home during this pandemic, we are acutely aware that home is not a safe place for people who experience domestic or intimate partner violence.
• On May 29, 2020, we announced $44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters to help protect Indigenous women and children escaping domestic violence.
• This funding will help build 10 shelters in First Nation communities on reserve across the country, and two in the territories.
• The Government will also provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and $10.2 million annually ongoing.
• This funding is in addition to the $10 million previously announced in COVID-19 supports for First Nation shelters and to the $1 million per year ongoing to engage Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, LGBTQ, and Two-Spirit People.

If pressed on shelters for Inuit women:

• We understand that Inuit women face heightened challenges when seeking refuge from domestic violence.
• The recent announcement to build 2 new shelters in the territories for Indigenous women and children escaping violence is a step in the right direction. However, we know more support is needed for Inuit women living in Inuit Nunangat and across the country.
• Moving forward, we will continue to work with Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada and other Inuit partners on the construction of shelters and future supports for Inuit women.

If pressed on closure of women's shelter:

• We are aware of the reported COVID-19 cases in the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal.
• The health and safety of community members, whether they reside on reserve or not, is a top priority for this Government.
• The Government of Quebec is the lead in addressing the situation in Montreal and investigating potential cases.
• We remain committed to supporting provincial partners in responding to this outbreak.

If pressed further on closure of the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal

• In April 2020, Indigenous Services Canada allocated $210,000 from the Indigenous Community Support Fund to the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal for its own activities and to support the Resilience Montreal Day Centre for homeless people.
• We will continue to offer support and address surge capacity as needed.

Key Messages:

• Canada recognizes the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on First Nations governments and economies.
• On June 2nd, the Government of Canada announced $17.1 million for the First Nations Finance Authority so it can meet its obligations to bondholders this year while providing much needed loan interest relief to 58 borrowing First Nations.
• This measure is in addition to $380 million in direct support for Indigenous communities and $306.8 million to support Indigenous businesses previously announced as part of Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan.
• Since 2012, 63 of its borrowing members have created 9,000 jobs, resulting in a money multiplier effect of $1.8 billion. These loans have translated into new housing units, schools, energy projects, wellness centres, infrastructure and economic development.
• We recognize that more support may be needed and, in collaboration with First Nations-led institutions, we continue to explore COVID-19 relief, deferral, and recovery measures.

Background:

The First Nations Fiscal Management Act is opt-in First Nations led legislation designed to enable First Nation governments to exercise jurisdiction over core government financial management functions and property taxation. This includes providing a mechanism for First Nations to secure financing for infrastructure, economic and community development directly from capital markets through the First Nations Finance Authority. To date, 294 First Nations have been scheduled to the Act.

The Act established the First Nations Financial Management Board, the First Nations Tax Commission and the First Nations Finance Authority to maintain and oversee the regime.

The First Nations Finance Authority is a non-profit corporation that enables First Nations to raise long-term private capital at preferred rates through the issuance of bonds, and provides investment services to First Nations and First Nation organizations.

If pressed on closure of women's shelter in Montreal:

• We are aware of the reported positive COVID-19 cases in a Native women's shelter in Montreal.
• The health and safety of community members, whether they reside on reserve or not, is a top priority for this Government.
• The Government of Quebec is the lead in addressing the situation in Montreal and investigating potential cases.
• We remain committed to supporting provincial partners in responding to this outbreak.
• In 2020, Indigenous Services Canada allocated $150,000 to the Native women's shelter for its own activities and to support the Resilience Day Centre for homeless people.
• We will continue to offer support and address surge capacity as needed.

If pressed on access to PPE in QC lnnu Nations:

• Indigenous Services Canada procures and maintains a stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizer for use in Indigenous communities in the event of a health emergency.
• The PPE stockpile is accessible to Indigenous communities who may require access to PPE to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and others supporting the provision of health care in the time of a health emergency.
• As of June 2nd, Indigenous Services Canada has shipped 885 requests for PPE from First Nations communities.
  
• Of those 885, 28 were shipped to the various Innu Nations of Quebec to support their COVID-19 preparedness activities.
• The Department sent four shipments of PPE directly to the community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, which were all processed and received within a maximum of 10 days.
• The Departement remains in regular communication with [redacted], with all health centres in Innu communities, and with Innu leadership, including Chief Mackenzie, to support their PPE needs.
• We will continue to offer support and work with them to address surge capacity as needed.

If pressed on situation in Pukatawagan:

• We recognize the infrastructure challenges faced by many First Nation communities.
• We are exploring all options to address COVID-19 community infrastructure needs, including supporting the capacity for screening, triage, and isolation as well as accommodation for additional health care professionals.
• Indigenous Services Canada works with communities to explore the feasibility of using existing spaces such as schools or band offices to support temporary surge health infrastructure.
• Departmental officials and Mathias Colomb First Nation have been in regular communication since April to respond to immediate infrastructure needs related to COVID-19.
• The Department has committed funding to Mathias Colomb First Nation for upgrades to their youth centre, which will support the re-tooling of this space for isolation purposes, and for the purchase of a screening triage unit. Once complete, the re-tooled youth centre is intended to act as both infrastructure support for the pandemic plans, and will later be used for youth activities and programming.
• As of June 8, 2020, the Department is aware of the community border restrictions that are preventing construction crews from accessing the community to renovate the youth centre. The Department remains in contact with the community to determine a way forward.
• The community has confirmed they do not require a mobile unit or temporary medical shelters.

Background:

Surge supports for Northern Saskatchewan:

• In response to the northern Saskatchewan COVID-19 outbreak, Indigenous Services Canada provided $2.3 million to the joint partnership efforts between Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MTLC), the Metis Nation — Saskatchewan (MN-S) and the North West Communities Incident Command Centre (NWCICC), which serves as a key point of coordination and logistical support for communities in northern Saskatchewan.
• The funds will be jointly administered and will complement the ongoing community-based efforts to conquer COVID-19 in the region, and will support efforts relating to medical supplies, food security, isolation, security services, access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies, Elder supports, and mental health supports.
• Indigenous Services Canada will continue to work with the North West Communities Incident Command Centre, including provincial health authorities, First Nations, and Métis communities in the area to support their efforts through increased access to testing, enhanced surveillance, contact tracing, and infection prevention and control measures.
• This funding builds on the Department's ongoing commitment to communities in the northwest which includes financial support and PPE.
• Community partners have done excellent work in managing the outbreak situation and I applaud their collaborative and effective approach.

COVID-19 response efforts in La Loche, SK:

• The Department is working closely with the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, First Nations Chiefs, the two impacted First Nations communities, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Government of Saskatchewan, La Loche municipal government, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan and the North West Communities Incident Command Centre on COVID-19 response efforts in Northern Saskatchewan
• The Saskatchewan Health Authority requested the Department's assistance for surge capacity to support affected communities with mobile and outreach testing. The Saskatchewan Health Authority deployed nurses on May 2, 2020, of which four were from ISC. These four nurses have now returned home.
• The Department has funded more than $6M to date to impacted First Nations communities with positive COVID-19 cases in the Northwest area.
• The Department continues to be in frequent contact with leadership of the affected communities in close proximity to La Loche, as well as all leadership in northern and North West Saskatchewan First Nation communities.

If pressed on PPE in La Loche, SK:

• Saskatchewan Region has established processes to procure health related/medical grade PPE from the provincial and national stockpiles.
• The region is working closely with the national office (ISC headquarters), the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to address health related PPE needs and mitigate issues.
• We have supported surge capacity efforts to Meadow Lake Tribal Council, both First Nations communities, and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, including for nursing surge capacity.
• Four of the Indigenous Service Canada's nurses spent a month in La Loche supporting efforts. They are now home and working with other First Nation communities to support testing efforts.
• The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations have deployed PPE to the impacted communities.
• The Department is supporting efforts for mobilizing PPE and testing kits and is working with the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority for additional PPE and testing kits to support these efforts.
• The Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority works closely with the First Nations communities to confirm current inventories and submit PPE requests as necessary. The Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada have provided PPE shipments.

If pressed on FSIN's PPE proposal and PPE situation in SK:

• Saskatchewan Region has established processes to mobilize medical PPE from the provincial and national stockpiles.
• In addition, the Department has provided $6.18M for non-medical PPE for essential community workers in Saskatchewan. Of this, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation received $3.7M, the Pasqua First Nation received $2.01M, and $458K was provided for other community requests to date.
• Indigenous Services Canada is partnering with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation to support the procurement of additional non-medical PPE from various vendors. Requests sent to the Department for non-medical PPE are being forwarded to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation to fill and distribute.
• The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nation has established an effective process to procure and deliver non-medical PPE for essential community workers to all 74 First Nations communities in Saskatchewan. Vendors approaching the Department have been encouraged to work directly with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations to determine non-medical PPE product, based on needs.

COVID-related death of an elder in La Loche, Saskatchewan

• The Government of Canada expresses our deepest sympathies to the family and everyone affected in the community.
• La Loche neighbours the Clearwater River Dene Nation and officials have been in regular contact. There are daily meetings of the Northwest Incident Command Centre.
• Clearwater River Dene Nation has a pandemic plan which we are supporting them to implement.
• The health and safety of the community is our top priority.
• The health and safety of the community is a top priority and to respect the privacy of those who are sick with COVID-19, we will not be commenting on the specifics of the case.
• The Government of Saskatchewan provides primary health care services in the community of La Loche and my department will continue to work with all parties, including the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority.

Key Messages

• Indigenous Services Canada is supporting communities' COVID-19 response plans by strengthening health service capacity, community health infrastructure, and infection prevention and control, as well as by responding to requests for medical equipment, other supplies, mental health services and long-term care needs.
• Communities can submit funding requests related to COVID-19, including those for public health and infrastructure needs through ISC regional offices.
• The Department is working on a single-window approach for community requests. We recognise that it is better for the community to be able to present one proposal for all their funding needs.
• Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan, have a fully integrated approach whereby a community submits one comprehensive proposal for COVID-19 supports, inclusive of emergency response, health supports and infrastructure needs. This approach is not the case in all provinces.
• At this time, the Department has three ways to fund community-related requests:
  • Requests related to infrastructure are approved through the Health Facilities Program to provide surge health infrastructure needs;
  • Requests related to personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical equipment and supplies are routed to the regional medical officer in their region and go through the Primary Care Program; and
  • Requests for housing or roads or other non-healthcare needs currently are handled through Regional Operations and may have separate application forms and requirements.
• While detailed proposals are not required, a minimum level of information is required to assess the request, such as cost, item required, and a brief description of how it supports the community in reducing the spread of COVID-19 or to respond to cases in the community.
• The Department continues to provide guidance to communities on how to submit funding requests.

Background:

The Department is working proactively with Indigenous communities to identify and address their unique needs arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using existing program authorities, Departmental officials in the regional offices are working with communities to:

• Address surge health infrastructure needs and space requirements within health facilities through the Health Facilities Program.
• Coordinate the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensure that sufficient health human resources are available to provide surge capacity, if and when needed through the Primary Care Program.

The Department has developed guidance information, which helps to clarify the process for submitting a funding request through the Department's regional offices.

For instance, FNIHB has developed a process to work with communities to ascertain particular infrastructure needs, including identifying various vendors and deployable options. The first approach is to explore with communities whether existing community spaces are available to re-tool and to provide supplies and equipment based on the needs of the community.

In some cases, while there may be requirements for communities to submit separate requests for different COVID-19 needs (e.g. medical supplies, non-health infrastructure, mobile structures for triage, isolation or accommodations), this approach is necessary owing to the differences in the types of requests. If a request for capital infrastructure is sent to FNIHB but does not fall within the Health Facilities Program, it is funded through other program authorities within the department to ensure the request is supported.

Using this process, as of May 27, ISC has engaged with 235 communities and 149 units have been funded by ISC. Funding has been provided to:

• identify 70 communities to re-tool existing community space and equip them with the appropriate provisions based on community need, such as medical and office equipment, beds and furniture;
• procure 49 mobile medical units for pre-screening/triage; and
• procure 64 multi-purpose accommodation units (e.g. mobile trailers, portable hard- and soft-walled structures).

FNIHB continues to work with regional offices and healthcare experts to collect and validate critical information on individual community characteristics, such as size, degree of remoteness or isolation, and, quality of existing infrastructure. ISC is also engaging with local health directors, health workers and nurses through various means via Regional Medical Officers, who are in turn working with provincial partners to ensure that First Nations populations are fully integrated into provincial plans.

In addition, communities are encouraged to work closely with their regional offices when seeking support to meet health and other community needs. Communities can continue to submit requests for funding not related to COVID-19 preparedness and responses (e.g., housing) through the regular established processes for the responsible programs.

In the case of supports related to Child and Family Services and Jordan's Principle, existing processes remain in place and expenses can continue to be submitted by First Nations child and family services agencies, or by families or service providers, even when related to specific COVID-19 issues.

Indigenous Health:

• We are working to close the gap in access to quality healthcare between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, by:
  • supporting 63 community-led mental wellness teams serving 344 communities, up from 11 teams in 2015;
  • approving more than 572,000 requests for products and services under Jordan's Principle since 2016; and
  • providing coverage of health benefits to over 873,000 First Nations and Inuit in 2018–19.
• We are also working to ensure that Indigenous peoples are in the driver's seat when it comes to designing and delivering their healthcare programs and services.

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:
  • Ensuring that 92% of mothers travelling for childbirth between June 2017 and March 2019 were accompanied by a preauthorized individual of their choice; and
  • Completing 193 of the 208 health-related infrastructure projects underway since 2016.
• We will continue working with partners towards improved health services and programs for Indigenous peoples.

Distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation, and how it 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 North and COVID-19:

• 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 the culturally-safe supports and services, including on the land activities.
• To date in 2020/21, we have allocated $29.6 million to support mental health programming and services in all 72 First Nations and Inuit communities in the three territories.
• In response to COVID-19, a pan-territorial Indigenous working group has been established to share knowledge weekly to meet the urgent and emerging needs of communities.
• The Government of Canada is supporting Indigenous communities to implement culturally-relevant emergency measures to promote on the land physical distancing.
• We will continue to work with Indigenous partners to help them protect their health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background:

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high-quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Our vision is to support and empower Indigenous peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities.

The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch within ISC supports First Nations and Inuit in their aim to influence, manage, and control health programs and services that affect them.

The most advanced model of First Nations health transfer is in British Columbia where a tripartite Framework Agreement was signed in 2011 and led to the full devolution of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch's regional operations in 2013 to a newly established First Nations Health Authority.

Testing:

• COVID-19 testing swabs are provided by provinces to public health units and Indigenous Services Canada nursing stations.
• All confirmatory testing for COVID-19 is administered by provincial and national laboratories.
• The provinces and territories acknowledge the need to increase COVID-19 testing quickly across Canada. Options such as point-of-care tests are being explored for roll out in Canada, when they are approved by Health Canada.
• The Government of Canada has been actively evaluating and acquiring approved point-of-care tests. This is done in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and includes prioritizing the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, especially those in rural, remote and isolated areas.
• Ongoing discussions include ensuring that health centres in First Nation communities have the proper equipment required to support these tests, as well as the training procedures required to administer them.
• In instances where the Department provides services directly in First Nation communities, nursing personnel will notify Regional Health Emergency Coordinators and Regional Medical Officers of Health of any probable COVID-19 cases to ensure the Department is ready to provide any additional support they may require.
• We will continue to work with partners to protect the health and safety of First Nation, Inuit and Metis nation communities.

Nursing Shortages:

• In conjunction with provinces and territories, we are paying specific attention to the preparedness and response needs of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada.
• We acknowledge the concerns relating to the capacity of health professionals. We have expanded existing contracts and entered into new ones to add additional nursing resources in First Nation communities as needed.
• From March 16 to June 3, 2020, 52 front-line nurses have been hired to support the COVID-19 response in First Nation communities.
• We are also assessing the need for other health professionals such as physicians, 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.

If pressed Cuban Nurses:

• We are working with partners, such as Southern Chiefs Organization, the Province of Manitoba and First Nation communities, to plan for the continuation of health services as we manage the response to COVID-19.
• We are actively assessing the need for health care professionals to help support emergency response in community settings.
• As a preparedness measure, we are expanding existing contracts for nursing agencies and exploring the need for other health care professionals such as paramedics and first line responders to complement the existing capacity should it be required.
• Indigenous Services Canada will continue to take a broad approach, including working with the Province of Manitoba, to solicit additional health professionals that can be available to communities that may see a number of probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases and may require surge capacity support.

Confirmed cases in Saskatchewan:

• We are paying specific attention to the preparedness and response needs of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities.
• We are actively working with the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Health Authority; and the other communities where COVID-19 test positive cases have been confirmed to ensure necessary resources are in place.
• The health and safety of the individuals and the communities is a top priority and to respect the privacy of the individuals sick with COVID-19, we will not be commenting on the specifics of individual cases. We will continue to support the communities and address surge capacity as needed.

Confirmed cases in Ontario:

• We are actively working with the communities where COVID-19 test positive cases have been confirmed to ensure necessary resources are in place.
• The health and safety of the individuals and the communities is a top priority and to respect the privacy of the individuals sick with COVID-19, we will not be commenting on the specifics of the cases.
• We will continue to support the communities and address surge capacity as needed.

Confirmed cases in Quebec:

• We are actively working with the communities to ensure necessary resources are in place.
• The health and safety of the communities is a top priority and to respect the privacy of those who are sick with COVID-19, we will not be commenting on the specifics of the case.
• We will continue to support the communities and address surge capacity as needed.

Confirmed cases in Alberta:

• The health and safety of the communities is a top priority and to respect the privacy of those who are sick with COVID-19, we will not be commenting on the specifics of the case.
• We are working with First Nations across Alberta to address surge capacity needs including capital support for isolation measures and additional nursing frontline care resources.
• Our regional Medical Officers of Health and Communicable Disease Control teams are actively working in partnership with communities where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed to implement disease control and public health measures to support containment and mitigate community spread.

Confirmed cases in Atlantic region and situation in NB:

• There are no known cases of COVID-19 among residents of Atlantic First Nation or Inuit communities.
• In response to a COVID-19 outbreak near First Nation communities in northern New Brunswick, our Medical Officers are working with community health staff and provincial public health officials to prevent its spread to the First Nation communities and also to prepare for its possible arrival.

Confirmed cases in the territories:

• There have been confirmed cases in the NWT. The Government of the Northwest Territories is testing anyone with flu-like symptoms and who travelled outside of the Northwest Territories within the last 14 days.
• As of June 1st, all reported cases in NWT are recovered.
• There are confirmed cases in the Yukon. As per the communicable disease protocol in the Yukon, the territorial government is not releasing the location of the individuals.
• As of June 1st, all reported cases in YK are recovered.

Key Messages:

• Our Government recognizes that substance use can have devastating effects on individuals, families and communities and their general health and well-being.
• We are investing $425 million annually for community-based services to address the mental wellness needs of First Nations and Inuit.
• This includes a recent investment of $200 million over five years to support substance use and prevention and treatment services for First Nations and Inuit.
• We remain focused on supporting long-term investments that improve the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples.

If pressed on COVID-19 and substance use:

• We recognize that many Indigenous communities face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19, some of which can lead to increased stress and substance use.
• The funding announced for Indigenous communities as part of Canada's COVID-19 response can be used to support access to mental wellness services while respecting physical distancing.
• We are working with partners to implement distance approaches to service delivery such as tele- and video-counselling for substance use services and other existing programs. The Hope for Wellness Help Line continues to offer crisis intervention services by telephone or chat, with surge capacity investments provided for additional counsellors.
• We are also working with Indigenous partners to promote additional resources for Indigenous youth, and to develop an online platform to support community-based mental wellness teams.

If pressed on restricted access to First Nations communities during COVID-19

• Supporting mental wellness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is essential. There is a wide range of virtual resources available to help Indigenous communities with their mental wellness, which ISC is promoting.
• Substance use treatment, prevention, and aftercare services are continuing where possible while respecting COVID-19 public health physical distancing measures. Counselling, cultural supports, and other forms of treatment are available through telehealth and on-line platforms.
• Treatment centres and community-based programs are also ensuring medication availability for opioid agonist therapy (OAT).
• The Government of Canada's Indigenous Community Support Fund investments can be directed towards these and other innovative solutions to keep existing services available while access in and out of some communities has been restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The Assembly of First Nations' Executive passed a motion to support communities to use the approaches they need. AFN will not call on provinces to close liquor stores. Ongoing discussions will continue on this issue, including through the Chief Committee on Health.
• We will continue to work with partners to ensure mental wellness supports are available for communities.

Montreal Lake Cree Nation during COVID-19:

• We continue to work closely with partners to ensure there is no gap in service during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Montreal Lake Cree Nation continues to implement their strategic approach to addressing Crystal Meth challenges.
• The community's Detox program is running at full capacity and the additional resources needed in light of COVID-19 are being supported.
• Patients with Methadone and Suboxone continue to receive support through the program. Community-employed nurses and Mental Wellness Teams are providing support in accordance with COVID-19 preventative measures.

Background

Indigenous communities across Canada are disproportionately impacted by the opioid public health crisis and in particular, First Nations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. The Assembly of First Nations has reported that some First Nations communities are experiencing an epidemic, with as many as 43% to 85% of the communities' population addicted to opiates (Assembly of First Nations Resolution no. 82/2016 and no. 68/2017). In spring 2017, the Department of Indigenous Services Canada started to track suspected opioid overdoses in 153 participating First Nations communities. The Department continues to work with partners from across the country to improve data collection and reporting, and to better understand how this crisis is affecting different populations.

The Government of Canada has announced significant financial investments to help address the crisis. Budget 2018 is providing $200 million over five years (2018/19 to 2022–23) and $40 million per year ongoing to support new investments in substance use prevention and treatment services for First Nations and Inuit including funding to address the ongoing opioid crisis. The investment will support up to: an additional 25 opioid agonist therapy sites offering wraparound services; an additional 75 on the land activities; enhanced services across a network of 45 federally funded treatment centres; and major renovations at over 20 of these centres. Indigenous Services Canada allocated this fiscal year over $425 million towards culturally relevant and community-based mental wellness supports for First Nations and Inuit that aim to: provide treatment, reduce risk factors, promote protective factors and improve health outcomes associated with mental wellness.

Indigenous Services Canada provides several services along the drug misuse continuum.

1. Through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program, coverage is provided to registered First Nations and recognized Inuit for:
   • Methadone, buprenorphine/naloxone (i.e. Suboxone and generics), slow release morphine and injectable opioid agonist treatment (iOAT) for the treatment of opioid use disorder. To promote client safety, clients receiving these treatments are enrolled in the Client Safety Program formerly known as the Prescription Monitoring Program. Prior to providing coverage for buprenorphine/naloxone, the NIHB Program confirms that the community has infrastructure for the safe storage and handling of the medication.
   • Naloxone, used to treat overdoses, both Injection and nasal spray (Narcan);
   • Medical transportation benefits for clients to access supervised treatment for opioid use disorder (e.g. methadone, Suboxone). The client's ongoing need for travel is reviewed every six months
   • Up to 22 hours of professional mental health counseling every 12 months, with additional hours as required.
2. In addition to coverage provided under the NIHB Program, in facilities where ISC provides primary care services in First Nations communities, naloxone injection is available for administration by health care professionals to reverse the effects of the overdose. There is also a limited supply of naloxone nasal spray (Narcan) in Nursing Stations that is available to community members at no charge. Injectable naloxone is listed in the Branch's Nursing Station Formulary as a "must stock" medication.

Key Messages:

• The safety and security of Indigenous communities is of critical importance.
• We are working closely with First Nation partners and in April we released ISC's Preparedness and Response Plan in First Nations Communities. This evergreen plan builds on the 2009 Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan as well as lessons learned from past health outbreaks such as H1N1.
• The plan does not replace the critical need for updated and tested First Nations community pandemic plans. Nationally, 94% of First Nations communities have a pandemic plan.
• We recognize that an effective community response depends on controlling infection by physical distancing, identifying infected individuals and conducting effective contact tracing.
• As provinces and territories consider reopening, we will work with Indigenous leaders to ensure their unique challenges are mitigated.

Background:

Since 2009, a specific Annex to the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan on planning considerations for First Nations On-Reserve has been the foundation for First Nations health pandemic planning. The First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Indigenous Services Canada is a member of the Canada Pandemic Influenza Plan Committee, which plays a critical coordinating role in the national pandemic response. The National Health Emergency Network, focused on First Nations public health on-reserve, was established as a result of the new First Nations health emergency funds of close to $80M over five years from Budget 2019.

Indigenous Services Canada has continued to work with First Nation partners, key federal departments, and their provincial and territorial counterparts, to protect the health and safety of First Nation communities in responding to the public health crisis resulting from COVID-19. Since Canada was notified by the World Health Organization of outbreaks of respiratory illness in Wuhan, China, FNIHB has been linked into national communications, preparedness and response efforts led by the Public Health Agency of Canada. On January 2, 2020, ISC's Chief Public Health Officer sent a communication to the National Health Emergency Network about the emerging information on the novel coronavirus. Indigenous Services Canada has proactively kept informed the National Health Emergency Network specific to First Nations On-Reserve of emerging information on COVID-19. Since issuing briefings on the core components of Indigenous Services Canada's response efforts in early March, regional offices have activated their emergency command centres and ensured First Nations partners were kept informed of preparedness and response efforts. National communications have also been issued consistently, including weekly briefings to the Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs Committee on Health and Executive.

Key Messages:

• Canada has dedicated resources to respond to urgent needs of Métis communities related to COVID-19.
• While provincial and territorial governments provide primary healthcare guidance and preparedness support in Métis communities, Canada allocated $30 million to Métis Nation governments under the Indigenous Community Support Fund.
• In addition, other Métis organizations in urban centers and off reserve have received funding through the $15 million proposal-based investment, and are further eligible for additional funding under the $75 million urban and off-reserve fund.
• This provides support for Elders and vulnerable community members, addressing food insecurity, mental health assistance, emergency response services, and other preparedness measures.
• Canada continues to engage with the Métis Nation on a nation-to-nation, government-to-government basis.

Background

• As part of the Government of Canada's COVID-19 response, $30 million was identified for Métis Nation organizations and governments from the $305 million in the Indigenous Community Support fund. Funds have been disbursed as follows:
  • $3,750,000 for the Métis Nation of British Columbia;
  • $7,500,000 for the Métis Nation of Alberta;
  • $7,500,000 for the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan;
  • $7,500,000 for the Manitoba Métis Federation; and
  • $3,750,000 for the Métis Nation of Ontario.
• This funding flowed to each of the Métis governments in the week of April 27, 2020.
• Other Métis organizations have received funds as part of the $15M proposal-based fund, including the Métis Settlements General Council in Alberta (approximately $890,000) and four Métis organizations in the Northwest Territories.
• In addition, $2.3M was also announced in support of the ongoing effort to combat COVID-19 in La Loche in northwestern Saskatchewan. This funding supports the North West Saskatchewan Pandemic Response Plan, a collective effort between First Nation, Métis, municipal, provincial, and federal partners to coordinate the response to the growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in northwestern Saskatchewan.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, communication has increased to allow Métis partners to receive the most up-to-date information about emergency funding support and timelines.
• The Government is committed to continuing to work with Métis to further identify and address COVID-19 preparedness and response in Métis communities.

Data Specific to Indigenous Communities:

• First Nation, Inuit and Métis have a higher risk of being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
• We recognize the value of Indigenous-led access to and analysis of accurate disaggregated data.
• This will support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in advancing culturally-safe and science-based approaches.
• Along with better access to testing, governments need to do better, more robust and routine collection of disaggregated data.
• We are taking active measures to address this data gap.

If pressed — Larger Government Support:

• In addition to the investment made by Indigenous Services Canada, on April 23, the Prime Minister announced $10M for a larger, overarching Canadian data monitoring initiative.
• This initiative will establish a coordinated approach to COVID-19 modeling and access to data sets, through a national network of experts.
• Our absolute priority is, and will remain, the health and safety of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and we are taking active measures to address this data gap.

If pressed on First Nation, Inuit and Metis COVID-19 Tracking and Modelling:

• It is crucial that we take a whole-of-government approach to slow the spread of this pandemic and to protect all Canadians.
• Indigenous Services Canada is working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, Indigenous service partners, and the Public Health Agency of Canada to support ongoing identification and monitoring of and response to COVID-19.
• This Indigenous-led data analysis will help to inform the response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
• We need the help of provinces and territories to support Indigenous communities to obtain a comprehensive data picture for public health actions.

Key Messages:

• Throughout this pandemic, Canada must not and will not prohibit these important cultural and spiritual practices.
• Any decision to cancel or postpone these cultural practices remains the decision of community leadership.
• Indigenous Services Canada will continue to work with First Nation leadership to provide advice and guidance on public health measures while respecting cultural practices and the needs of the community.
• We fully respect the measures Chief and Council and ceremonial organizers and elders put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within their communities.

If pressed on PowWow ceremonies in Manitoba

• Indigenous Services Canada is aware of the Powwow planned for late June by Lake Manitoba First Nation.
• The Department has been working with [redacted] and First Nation leadership, including Grand Chief Dumas, to provide advice and guidance to all Manitoba First Nations on best practices to respect public health measures and physical distancing during cultural ceremonies and gatherings.
• We fully respect the measures that Manitoba Chiefs put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within their own communities, including Lake Manitoba's decision to postpone the PowWow.
• We encourage provinces and territories to also work collaboratively with Indigenous partners to support communities with upcoming gatherings.

Key Messages:

• Federal, provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments all have a role in ensuring the health and safety of those living in Indigenous communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted opportunities for the health care system to more effectively deliver a coordinated public health response to and with Indigenous communities.
• For example in British Columbia, the BC First Nations Health Authority and the provincial government have worked seamlessly in coordinating the distribution of personal protective equipment, communications materials, and health resources among Indigenous communities. The strength of the established relationship between the health authority and the provincial government allowed for a rapid and coordinated response.
• The successes seen in British Columbia reinforce the Department's desire to explore how federal, provincial and Indigenous organizations can work more effectively together both during a health emergency, but also with the delivery of day-to-day health services.

If pressed on Provincial Re-opening of Services:

• The Government of Canada recognizes that many First Nations communities carry a heavy burden of illness because of our shared history of colonization. This puts many communities at greater risk during the pandemic.
• Indigenous Services Canada will work closely with Indigenous leadership and communities to support the gradual re-opening of their communities as they decide the pace and timing that is right for their community.
• Provinces and territories may adopt different strategies, but ultimately communities will decide what is best for them, given the circumstances of their community.

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities and gaps in the ability of the health system to effectively deliver a coordinated public health response to and with Indigenous communities.

The degree to which Indigenous communities' needs and pressures have been taken up by P/T governments throughout the pandemic has been largely dependent on the pre-existing relationship between F/P/T governments and Indigenous leadership. For example:

• Net new resources required for BC First Nations in response to COVID-19 has been less compared to other regions due to the established relationships between the provincial government and BC's First Nations Health Authority.

These findings support the need for greater transformation of Indigenous health to foster relationships between Indigenous and Provincial governments, and that a clear framework of roles and responsibilities is in place to ensure coordination between all levels of government, both during a health emergency, but also with day-to-day health services.

The December 2019 Speech from the Throne announced the Government's intention to co-develop Indigenous Health Legislation during this mandate. Indigenous Health Legislation represents a unique opportunity to transform health care delivery with Indigenous people by putting in place a framework that clarifies the federal, provincial and Indigenous roles in the delivery of health care services.

Key Messages

• Indigenous Services Canada is interested in the results of the trial and we will be monitoring the results of these studies.
• At this time, Favipiravir is only being used in Canada in the context of research studies.
• Indigenous Services Canada is not a direct participant nor have we been asked to inform the study approach.
• Indigenous Services Canada will take guidance from Health Canada/PHAC over the course of the trial.

Background

The Government of Canada is optimistic about the work currently underway by clinical researchers to identify treatments and vaccines. Favipiravir is a broad spectrum antiviral discovered and approved by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical in Japan. Recent studies suggest Favipiravir may have potential utility for the treatment of COVID-19.

A Canadian company, Appili Therapeutics, is sponsoring a randomized clinical trial to evaluate Favipiravir as a COVID-19 outbreak control agent in the long-term care setting, working with Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, leading Canadian researchers and government stakeholders. Residents of long-term care comprise the most COVID-19 deaths in Canada.

Health Canada has provided regulatory clearance for Appili's Phase 2 study evaluating as a preventative measure against COVID-19 outbreaks. Dr. Allison McGeer, senior clinician scientist at Sinai Health's Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in Toronto, Ontario is the study's primary investigator. Researchers will enroll approximately 760 subjects, both residents and staff, at 16 long-term care homes in Ontario.

Key Messages:

• We are committed to providing every part of the country with culturally competent policing that can serve Canadian communities in a bias-free and professional manner. Welcoming individuals from all backgrounds into the RCMP is important to achieving this goal. The RCMP is an organization where dignity is expected and respect is earned.
• The RCMP continues to work towards modernizing its culture which includes being more inclusive and diverse.
• Like many departments, the RCMP has adopted Gender-based analysis+ as a tool to examine systemic issues and inequities. The RCMP Gender based analysis is being used as the organization reviews its recruiting practices, the training offered to front line officers, and as it continues to make key changes to workplace and operational policies.
• The RCMP is working with the newly created Management Advisory Board to incorporate its expertise in a number of areas, including workplace culture, human resources and governance.
• The RCMP is making concrete progress in establishing the foundation for change and to address key issues including diversity and inclusion, Wellness and Reconciliation.
• The RCMP is also actively supporting the National Action Plans to address gender-based violence, calls to justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commission, as well as the Anti-Racism Strategy led by Canadian Heritage.
• While there are a number of actions underway, seeing changes in its workforce in an organization as large as the RCMP will take time, but I am confident that the organization is moving in the right direction.

Background:

The RCMP is committed to modernizing its culture to foster an inclusive workplace that welcomes diversity. The RCMP prioritizes recruiting qualified applicants from broadly diverse backgrounds to offer culturally competent police services to Canada's communities. We believe that diversity makes us a more innovative and resilient organization that is better able to serve all people of Canada.

The RCMP is currently working with a variety of cultural and community groups across Canada to raise awareness about opportunities for a career in policing. Career presentations and recruiting events, which take place across the country, will answer specific questions from diverse groups applying to and joining the RCMP.

We intend to continue efforts toward a more broadly diverse workforce through targeted initiatives including career fairs and cultural events that position the RCMP as an employer of choice; and to attract people who may not have considered a career in policing.

Ove the past two years, the RCMP has initiated a review of its policies and programs to ensure they are barrier-free. This included a GBA+ of its recruiting process, which identified areas for improvement. Further reviews are underway to address areas that are barriers to diverse applicants. The RCMP is also developing a strategy to increase diversity at the senior levels in response to a recent audit of Commissioned Officer Staffing.

Recently, the RCMP launched a pilot program to help Inuit candidates navigate the recruitment process. The goal is to encourage Inuit candidates to consider a career in policing with the RCMP, as well as to gain a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by Inuit applicants with a view to improving the application process.