e-4271 (Health)

All Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples who live in the North, must have fair and equitable access to quality and culturally safe healthcare services, from any health professional, anywhere they are and any time they need it. While the territorial government is responsible for the delivery of health care in Nunavut, and would be best placed to speak to midwifery services in Nunavut, I can speak to the federal initiatives currently underway and support provided by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). Since 2015, ISC, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, has provided over $968.6 million in Grants and Contributions funding to support the provision of health care for Inuit and First Nations residents of Nunavut.

In 2021, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $126.7 million over three years for ISC and Health Canada to take action to foster health systems free from racism and discrimination where Indigenous Peoples are respected and safe. Implementation of this funding, alongside ongoing discussions with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and health systems partners over the following two years, were intended to develop a more comprehensive, longer-term and national approach to address anti-Indigenous racism in health systems and develop options by 2023-24.

The funding was distributed to the Inuit Land Claim Organizations as per the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Board of Directors approved general funding allocation formula. ISC has flowed a total of $2,680,851 over three years, starting in 2021-22, to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as a result of Budget 2017 and Budget 2021 to support the expansion of midwifery and doula services, including the staffing of a midwifery policy analyst as part of the anti-Indigenous racism initiative. This will enable Inuit-led research and engagement of partners  and subject matter experts on the creation of a new legislative, regulatory, and training framework to support the restoration of traditional birthing and pathways to re-establishing an Inuit midwifery training program in Nunavut.

In addition, work is well underway in Nunavut for the co-development of the distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation. ISC provided funding to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to conduct their engagement process with their members. Throughout this phase, Inuit partners raised a number of priority areas for Indigenous health legislation to address, one of which was midwifery and reproductive health.

ISC then moved into the co-development phase for the Indigenous Health Legislation initiative. This phase is now wrapping up. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the four Inuit regions, and Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada created an Indigenous Health Legislation sub-working group stemming from the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee that met bi-weekly. The Inuit table focused on thematic discussions, including on Inuit midwifery and reproductive health, and was guided by the “Inuit-Crown Co-development Principles”.

Although co-development discussions are wrapping up, there are various upcoming opportunities to inform the proposed legislation should you be interested. We will be looking to share proposed legislative key elements with Indigenous partners in late summer for feedback, followed by consultation drafts in late fall/early winter. It is anticipated that the bill will be tabled in winter 2024. ISC will continue to work very closely with partners on this very important initiative.

While progress is being made, please be assured that we recognize that gaps remain and that more help is needed. We continue to be committed to working with Indigenous leaders, partners and organizations to improve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis community health and wellness, including through enhancing access to culturally-relevant programs and services.

I appreciate you taking the time to raise your concerns and advocate for the needs of Nunavummiut.