British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance

Press Release

Sep 01, 2021

British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nations Health Governance​

In 2011, the First Nations Health Society (now the First Nations Health Authority), the First Nations Health Council and the provincial Minister of Health and federal Minister of Health (the “Parties”) signed the British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance (Tripartite Framework Agreement), setting out the Parties’ commitments relating to the implementation of our shared goal of improving the health and well-being of First Nations individuals and communities in British Columbia.

These commitments include the transfer of federal health programs to the FNHA:

• the planning, design, management and delivery of First Nations health programs by the FNHA
• the building of a more integrated health system for First Nations under the Health Governance Structure
• the active participation of Canada and British Columbia in the Health Governance Structure, and
• the performance and accountability requirements of the Parties.

As per the Tripartite Framework Agreement, an Implementation Committee was established to provide general planning and coordination for the implementation of the Tripartite Framework Agreement; this responsibility includes monitoring the implementation of the Tripartite Framework Agreement.

In 2013, federal health programs formerly administered by First Nations Inuit Health in BC were transferred to the FNHA in accordance with the Tripartite Framework Agreement. Since transfer, the FNHA, in collaboration with its federal and provincial partners, has been working to address service gaps through new partnerships, closer collaboration and health systems innovation.

See the following for additional information on the FNHA:

• https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/FNHA_Our_Story.pdf
• https://www.fnha.ca/about/governance-and-accountability

2019 Tripartite Framework Agreement Evaluation

The Tripartite Framework Agreement requires that the Parties shall jointly evaluate the implementation of the Tripartite Framework Agreement every five years. The evaluation of the Tripartite Framework Agreement must consider the purpose and intent of the Tripartite Framework Agreement; assess health indicators as well as governance, tripartite relationships and integration; and be shared publically.

The first Tripartite Evaluation report, entitled the 2019 Tripartite Framework Agreement Evaluation on First Nations Health Governance (Tripartite Evaluation) was released in 2020 and shared at Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey X. On the direction of the Implementation Committee, recommendations were purposefully left out of the report to provide First Nations and health system partners an opportunity to provide feedback on the Tripartite Evaluation.

Engagement on the Tripartite Evaluation is currently underway and is continuing into this fall 2021. Feedback gathered on the Tripartite Evaluation will be utilized to develop recommendations and a response action plan.

Engagement on Tripartite Evaluation Findings to Develop Recommendations and Response

The following sets out the phased engagement approach and activities for the Tripartite Evaluation:

Engagement Approach

Spring/Summer 2021 | Phase 1 Engagement

• Reviewed and prepared summary of findings on the Tripartite Evaluation
• Discussed and gathered feedback at Spring 2021 Caucus sessions and at a regional joint working group as requested
• Focus groups have been scheduled to provide opportunity for feedback (see details below)
• Survey is open for feedback (see details below)

Fall 2021 | Phase 2 Engagement

• Summarize what we heard during Phase 1 engagements
• Share emerging recommendations and response
• Collection of additional input
• Survey closes Oct. 31, 2021

Winter 2021 | Phase 3

• Tripartite partners will review and discuss draft recommendations and response
• Presentation to and approval by Implementation Committee
• Add recommendations and response as an addendum to the Tripartite Evaluation report

Engagement Topics

The following five topics, which are described in the Tripartite Evaluation report, are being utilized to guide engagement on the Tripartite Evaluation:

1. Success Factors in Achieving the Transfer
2. Building Relationships, Establishing Priorities, Addressing Issues
3. Hardwiring the BC First Nations Perspective on Health and Wellness into the Health System
4. Generating Value Through New Investment
5. Health Outcomes: Improvement, but More Progress Needed

In addition, there is an opportunity to provide feedback on the design and engagement approach for the next mandatory Tripartite Evaluation to be completed in 2024. To review a summary of findings and questions for each topic, please see the discussion g​uide.

Opportunities to Provide Input

To provide input to inform the Tripartite Evaluation recommendations and response, you can participate in a virtual focus group or online survey, or email us.

Participate in a Virt​​​ual Focus Group

Join a virtual group session to provide input to inform the Tripartite Evaluation recommendations and response action plan. Please register for a session using the links below (each session will cover the same content):

• Friday, Sept. 10, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Zoom registration link
• Thursday, Sept. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Zoom registra​​tion link

Additional Regional, Sub-Regional or Nation-based virtual focus group sessions are also available through working groups, committees and regional engagement tables and on request. Contact evaluation@fnha.ca  to request a session.

Participate in Our ​​Online Survey

Provide feedback by completing the online survey. The survey is open until Oct. 31, 2021.

Email ​or Mail Us

Download and complete a fillable form and email to evaluation@fnha.ca or mail to FNHA Evaluation | 7725 Tetayut Road | Saanichton, BC | V8M 2E4

The Tripartite Framework Partners will use feedback to develop recommendations and a response action plan.

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