QUESTION PERIOD — Health
COVID-19 Pandemic
June 23, 2020
Senator Gold, the federal government has announced $1.3 billion to date to support COVID-19 responses for Indigenous communities. However, communities are still reporting they do not have adequate stockpiles of personal protective equipment. They’re having difficulty accessing reimbursements for COVID-related purchases. One First Nation has spent $500,000 and apparently has no prospect of reimbursement. Many are receiving far less from Indigenous Services Canada than they originally asked for.
Some needs are only being met by volunteer organizations. A petition being circulated on change.org has been signed by over 46,000 people and counting. It is calling for urgent resources for Indigenous communities. Chief Wally Burns of James Smith Cree Nation has called attention to the government’s inability to commit to a proposal of $120 million that would supply 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan with masks, gloves and sanitizers.
My question is: Why do we still have vulnerable Indigenous communities across the country that are ill-prepared to deal with the COVID outbreak?
Thank you, senator, for raising these important concerns.
Regarding the availability of personal protective equipment or PPE, I’ve been advised that Indigenous Services Canada has a stockpile of PPE and other products, like hand disinfectant, to meet the immediate needs of Indigenous communities in the event of a health emergency. As of June 22, Indigenous Services Canada has delivered almost 1,000 shipments of PPE to First Nations communities.
In addition, the $380 million of Indigenous community support funds that were provided earlier in the life of this pandemic does provide flexibility to communities to do with it as they want. Indeed, they could use the funds to purchase PPE and to create their own stockpile if that is their wish.
Regarding reimbursements for PPE purchases, I don’t have the answer for you. I will endeavour to find out what the problem may be. Indeed, if the senator would find it helpful, I’d be very pleased to arrange a conversation between you and Minister Miller to discuss these concerns.
