to see Indigenous healthcare funding stream

By Trevor Wright Northern News Services Ottawa, Ontario

During a first minister’s meeting on Feb. 7, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government is increasing health spending in Canada’s provinces and territories by $196.1 billion over the next 10 years, an increase of $46.2 billion. Among the listed funding promises in the associated release by the Prime Minister’s office, which might affect Nunavut include:

- $25 billion over 10 years to provinces and territories in one of four shared priority areas which include family health services, health workers and backlogs, mental health and substance abuse, and a modernized health system

- $1.7 billion over five years to provinces and territories for hourly wage increases for personal support workers and related professions

- $150 million over five years for medical travel and cost of delivering health care in the territories

-$2 billion over 10 years to address bringing equitable care to Indigenous peoples and addressing unique challenges

While there are many numbers being touted by the federal government, Nunavut premier P.J. Akeeagok said he’s going to take his time reviewing their proposal with his counterparts.

“Premiers will be meeting together to consider how healthcare for our regions will be impacted. The provinces rely on the Canada Health Transfer and Nunavut relies on the provinces for specialized care we can’t provide in our territory,” said Akeeagok.

He added he’ll be keeping an eye out on the Territorial Health Investment Fund, which expires in March and provides funding from Health Canada to the territories.

“For Nunavut I’m optimistic to see funds dedicated for Indigenous health and to have our struggles with per capita funding acknowledge as we negotiate,” added Akeeagok.

According to the premier’s office, from 2021-22, there were nearly 17,00 medical trips, which range from scheduled, medi- vac and chartered planes. In 2021 more than half of hospital discharges (53.5) were out-of-territory.

Near the end of 2022, there were approximately 5,000 Nunavummiut were on a waiting list (Dec. 13, 2022) to see a specialist, and there were approximately 1,300 patients (Dec. 8) on a waiting list for a surgery or procedure.