Renovated health centre opens in Saint Mary’s First Nation

January 18, 2019 — Saint Mary’s First Nation, New Brunswick — Indigenous Services Canada

The Government of Canada is working in partnership with First Nations communities to improve health outcomes and well-being, and address health infrastructure needs.

Today, the Member of Parliament for Fredericton, Matt DeCourcey, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined Saint Mary’s First Nation for the grand re-opening of their newly renovated health centre.

The renovated facility will enable better access to quality care in the community by supporting a wide-range of health services and programs under one roof, including a dental clinic. The project included a major renovation to the inside layout of the building to allow the space to be used more efficiently to support community health programs.

The health centre will provide space for programs and services for people of all ages, including mental wellness, health promotion, disease prevention and primary care.

Additionally, the team at the health centre has just implemented a new electronic medical record system, which will help support front line workers manage data to better support the health needs of the community.

Indigenous Services Canada provided an investment of $2 million for the renovation project.

Quotes

“Congratulations to Saint Mary’s First Nation on the grand re-opening of your newly renovated health centre. Our government is proud to partner with First Nation communities to invest in health infrastructure, improve health outcomes and support the well-being of families in New Brunswick and across the country.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“This renovated health centre is yet another great development in Saint Mary’s First Nation. I know the centre will serve the growing population of Saint Mary’s well, and I congratulate the leadership here and the community for making this new facility a reality.”

The Honourable Matt DeCourcey, M.P.

“This is a functional, safe and multi-purpose space to better serve the community members, staff and other health professionals. We are excited to continue to provide quality services.”

Chief Polchies Jr.
Saint Mary’s First Nation

Quick facts

• Saint Mary’s First Nation is a Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) community located near Fredericton, New Brunswick, with a population of approximately 1,850 people, near half of whom live on reserve.
• The unique heptagonal structure of the centre created challenges for the technical team during the renovation. The team had to be creative to make the most of the usable floor space for the community, while still using the existing footprint and layout of the building.
• Budget 2016 allocated $270 million over five years to address health infrastructure needs for First Nations communities, of which $20 million is to support improvements in the Atlantic Region.

Associated links

• Saint Mary’s First Nation
• Budget 2016 Highlights: Indigenous and Northern Investments
• Budget 2018 Highlights: Indigenous and Northern Investments

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

Rachel Rappaport
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Indigenous Services
819-934-2796

Media Relations
Indigenous Services Canada
819-953-1160
SAC.media.ISC@canada.ca

Sherry Parsons
Community Health Coordinator
St. Mary’s Veterans Memorial Health Centre
506-452-2750
sherryparsons@smfn.ca

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