Health Experts: Federal Plans to Protect Indigenous Communities From Coronavirus Pandemic May Be ‘Ineffective’ – PressProgress
“I worry about it just being window dressing”
March 19, 2020
The Government of Canada is announcing new emergency funds in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but experts question if funds earmarked for Indigenous communities will be sufficient to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on high risk communities in remote areas.
The $305 million “Indigenous Community Support Fund”, representing 1% of the $27 billion emergency fund announced Wednesday, is described as a “distinctions-based” fund designed to “address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.”
Finance Minister Bill Morneau admits the “details” still need to be worked out. That money is in addition to $100 million announced last week to help Indigenous communities prepare for the arrival of the pandemic.
