Additional Funding for Health, Economic, and Social Support for Indigenous Peoples and Communities
On May 29, the Government of Canada announced $650 million in additional funding for health, economic, and social support for Indigenous peoples and communities. This investment builds on the previous $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund, and the $75 million in funding for communities and organizations working with Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and off-reserve.
The new investment includes funding for the following:
$285.1 million to support the ongoing public health response to COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.
This fund will support community-led responses to the pandemic, and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nations communities.
The funding will:
increase the number of health care providers;
deliver up to 160 temporary assessment, screening, and isolation units, including retooling of existing facilities, ready-to-move trailers, and mobile structures; and
support medical supplies and equipment in health care facilities.
$270 million to supplement the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program.
This will address increased demand on the program, which will help individuals and families meet their essential living expenses.
The funding will help hire additional staff to better serve First Nations communities, connect individuals to other government programs such as referrals to mental health and addictions counselling, and help families find and apply for appropriate government benefits (i.e. Employment Insurance, Canada Emergency Response Benefit, and the Canada Child Benefit).
$44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters.
This funding will help protect and support Indigenous women and girls experiencing and fleeing violence. It will help build ten shelters in First Nations communities on reserve across the country through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Shelter Enhancement Program, and two new shelters in the territories will be built through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, to support Indigenous women and children. Both programs will offer forgivable loans for up to 100% of the total eligible capital costs of construction.
The government will provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and $10.2 million annually.
The government will also provide $1 million a year ongoing, starting this year, to support engagement with Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.
The process to access the funding for the shelters will be through an Expression of Interest. First Nations on reserve across the country and Indigenous governments and/or organizations in the territories will be eligible to submit proposals.
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