COVID-19 TESTINGOntario is prioritizing testing for the following groups and individuals: • Frontline health worker • Symptomatic peoples from isolated, rural, remote and Indigenous communities • Hospitalized patients with respiratory issues • Travelers returning to Canada with symptoms • Long-term care facility clientsDue to global increase in demand for testing...
COVID-19 NON-INSURED HEALTH BENEFITS POLICY UPDATES
EXPIRED STATUS CARDS Access to NIHB will still be granted even with an expired Indian Status card during the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual’s registration number can be used to process the benefit regardless of date of expiry.PHARMACY The NIHB Program has temporarily lifted the prior approval requirement for many limited...
COVID-19 Issues Update – Ontario First Nations Policing
There is growing concern about the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for first responders in Ontario as global stockpiles become strained. In addition to increased needs from the healthcare sector, police services have been similarly impacted as their interaction with the general public continues to increase. This has also...
COVID-19 Update – Indigenous Community Support Fund and Additional Supports
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada announced the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, which includes $305 million for a distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund. This fund will provide support to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities as well as regional, urban, and off-reserve Indigenous organizations. These funds...
$305 MILLION TO FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES NOT NEARLY ENOUGH
London, Ontario Mar 28th, 2020 – Amid the COVID-19 pandemic Canada has allocated nearly $100 billion in its economic response plan to assist the country. For the Indigenous population they have set aside $305 million for Community Support, however, that amount is not going to be nearly enough for the...
COVID-19 Info Update – Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19
Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips released a $17 billion aid package to support Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. The government announced several measures aimed at helping residents, businesses, the health care sector, and urban Indigenous populations.The total package contains $7 billion in direct support to various communities as well...
COVID-19 Info Update – Federal Economic Response Plan
The House of Commons has passed the legislation necessary to implement their $82 billion COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. This legislation is set to pass the Senate by this afternoon, March 25, 2020. Ottawa’s proposed aid package includes: $305 million for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs...
First Nation leaders say $305M not enough as MPs greenlight COVID-19 relief measures
Brett ForesterAPTN NewsThe House of Commons has passed a bill that greenlights the government’s $82-billion COVID-19 economic relief package but according to a letter sent to the government by Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians (AIAI), the money set aside for Indigenous communities won’t be enough. “I think that money...
COVID-19 Education Info Update
School ClosuresPremier Doug Ford has announced that it is unrealistic to expect for students to return to school on April 6, 2020 due to the state of emergency. The decision to close schools beyond April 6th is based on the decision of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David...
March 24th, COVID-19 UPDATE
The number of COVID-19 cases continue to grow across the globe and in Canada. Canada now has just over 2000 cases and over 20 deaths. Ontario now has just under 600 confirmed cases. The Assembly of First Nations has declared a state of emergency for all First Nations across the...