2-02798

CANADA’S NEW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF QUEBEC FIRST NATIONS

Mashteuiatsh, Quebec, October 26, 2006 – As part of the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, was pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s contribution of $28 752 000 toward improving the health of the First Nations of Quebec.

The Government of Canada’s funding will be allocated through Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and can be broken down as follows:

• Health Canada is setting aside $16.2 million over five years for upstream investments to support prevention in and the promotion of health matters in Aboriginal communities.
  
  
• $12.1 million over four years will go to helping Quebec’s First Nations and Inuit communities better tailor health care services to their needs and integrate provincial health care services and health care serviced funded by the Government of Canada (Health Canada)
  
  
• Health Canada is allocating $280,000 to maintain its support for the development flu pandemic plans in Quebec’s First Nations communities. Health Canada will continue to inform Aboriginal communities about adequate preparation for a potential pandemic and, together with First Nations, provincial government and federal government stakeholders, ensure co-ordination with a view to clarifying their respective roles and responsibilities.
  
  
• Health Canada is allocating $50,000 to the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission to cover the cost of a liaison and co-ordination officer, who would help First Nations communities prepare for a new flu pandemic.
  
  
• $50,000 will go towards an action plan for the health of Quebec First Nations communities (Health Canada)
  
  
• $40,000 will go to developing an information kit on a potential flu pandemic (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
  
  
• Health Canada is contributing $32,000 to the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commision for the development of a work plan for reviewing the various options available and issues in order to provide a framework for nursing practices in Aboriginal communities.
  
  

For more information, please contact:

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs
and Northern Development
(613) 997-0002

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