THUNDER BAY — As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss funding in an effort to address the ongoing health care crisis, First Nation leaders say they should be at the table, too, as their communities have faced a similar crisis for years.
The meeting is being held to discuss federal health care funding to the provinces and territories in the wake of doctor and nurse shortages, overburdened emergency departments, and overcapacity in hospitals. Fox said NAN communities are in crisis and continue to face challenges including access to health care, mental health services, high suicide rates, a lack of housing and infrastructure, and a lack of clean drinking water.
A lack of rapid access to health care can mean a later diagnosis for serious health conditions for community members, longer treatment times, and poorer outcomes. “There was pandemic capacity in our communities where none had existed before,” he said. “There is no doubt that through a tri-lateral process this can work. This can save lives. It did save lives.”