What we are doing
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By the numbers
As of December 29, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has shipped 1,554 orders for PPE to First Nations communities, with 23 orders in progress. The orders include:
- hand sanitizers
- N95 masks
- isolation shields
- gloves
Here is what ISC has done in partnership with communities:
- As of the end of November:
- collected over 120,000 swab samples for COVID-19 testing at ISC and transferred them to nursing stations and health centres since April 1, 2020
- deployed 218 nurses and 56 paramedics in addition to the existing workforce to support First Nations communities since March 15, 2020
- facilitated the air transportation of 2,762 health human resources from across Canada, to and from First Nations communities in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta
- answered 24,206 calls and online chats, including 2,141 directly related to COVID-19, through the Hope for Wellness Help Line between March and November 2020
- As of December 16, 2020:
- funded 470 surge health infrastructure solutions to serve as isolation, screening and assessment, or accommodation facilities in response to COVID-19, which include:
- 312 mobile structures
- 116 existing sites upgraded or retooled
- 42 hotel or space rentals
- funded 470 surge health infrastructure solutions to serve as isolation, screening and assessment, or accommodation facilities in response to COVID-19, which include:
As of November 30, the Government of Canada has:
- announced $4.2 billion in specific support to Indigenous and northern communities and organizations
To find out more
Feature stories
ISC has
- trained healthcare providers in the use of PPE required to provide safe care in any public health risk situation
- actively supported First Nations communities to ensure pandemic plans are current and follow best practices
- prepared and shared public service announcements about COVID-19 for radio broadcast in 20 Indigenous languages
- prepared and shared COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan in First Nations Communities (Executive summary)
ISC works closely with PHAC, other Government of Canada departments, and provincial and territorial governments as well as Indigenous partners to protect the health and safety of Indigenous peoples. This includes supporting Indigenous partners in responding to public health threats.
South of 60
ISC's network of regional health emergency management coordinators, communicable disease nurses, environmental public health officers and medical officers advises and supports First Nations communities and leads on public health emergency preparedness and response south of 60. ISC funds or directly employs public health, home care and primary care nurses across many First Nations communities.
As of April 22, ISC has organized charter flights:
- so that health and infrastructure professionals can serve fly-in First Nations communities south of 60
- to provide medical supplies
- to provide equipment required to maintain critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants
Feature story
North of 60
North of 60, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada is working with Transport Canada and territorial governments to ensure continuity of routes for goods and essential services.
In the territories, primary health care is the responsibility of the territorial governments. ISC is working closely with First Nations and Inuit partners and territorial governments to respond to COVID-19, and will be available to provide surge capacity support in a timely manner if needed.
Métis communities
When it comes to preparedness and response in Métis communities, the primary guidance and support comes from the provincial government.