Minister, thank you for attending the groundbreaking of the Whitecap Dakota Nation’s Virtual Health Hub in Saskatchewan on September 12. The Virtual Health Hub telepresence model will significantly improve health care outcomes for people living in rural and remote communities in Canada.

Much-needed funding, provided by the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan, was instrumental in making that groundbreaking happen. As we know, it is stable and consistent ongoing operational funding that ensures long-term success.

Minister, will you or your department commit to the long-term funding for the operations of the Virtual Health Hub to ensure these critical health care outcomes are met?

Thank you.

It was a pleasure for me to be there. It was my first trip to Saskatchewan.

I’m going to take part of my time to shine a light on this incredible project, where there is worldwide leading innovation at the community level to offer virtual health services. I was so impressed — “impressed” is an understatement — by the work that I have seen being done there. The innovation and the support from the doctor that was part of it impressed me. I intend to bring this idea forward within government with my colleagues for them to understand that the future of health care has been identified in Saskatchewan. We need to meet it in this moment, bring it forward and apply it in those remote regions, even beyond the province.

I also want to ensure that the success of that project is met with viable funding. Once again, on November 4, we will see a budget. We’re looking to progress with them. They are a very valuable partner. I have a lot of respect for Chief Darcy Bear. I had the opportunity to work with him as a former lands claim Grand Chief. I really have a lot of respect for what he has done for his community. Kudos to him.

Thank you, minister.

Canada has committed to a renewed relationship based on rights recognition, implementation and measurable outcomes. On June 22, 2023, Bill C-51, An Act to give effect to the self‑government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, received Royal Assent. An issue still facing Whitecap Dakota members who have married in or transferred in, and who have significant community ties, is that they are not eligible for benefits, such as annuities and agricultural provisions.

Bill S-2 does not provide an adequate remedy in such situations. Minister, what can be done to fix this fundamental wrong?

Thank you.

Chief Bear is an incredible partner. I was pleased to hear his news. I know that my colleague Minister Alty — this is within the purview of her file — is very supportive of the process. I will raise a follow-up question for her to respond to.

I also want to state that Bill S-2 was not intended to address that. The work that we need to do with “second gen” and everything around status really needs to be a responsibility that we give back to communities for them to define among themselves, nation-to-nation, at the Indigenous/First Nations level, how they can work together. We are a partner in that process.