Brian Hardlotte (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

PAGC thankful for funding for Indigenous communities amidst pandemic

Jun 1, 2020 | 12:32 PM

Members of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) are welcoming the $650 million worth of funding from the federal government that will help Indigenous communities prepare for a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the total amount $281.1 million will support public health responses in Indigenous communities. That includes supplies, medical care, and facilities for physical distancing. There will be $270 million to support the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program to help people meet essential living expenses. There will be $44.8 million over five years to build new women’s shelters to address domestic violence against Indigenous women.

“I am thankful the federal government recognizes the unique challenges facing our communities throughout the North, especially many of our members who live in remote areas and those needing extra income support,” PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said.

“Our communities in the North have the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we hope we will receive this critical funding to support the urgent needs of our population of 43,000.”

Hardlotte said the funding will support health clinics and create a stockpile of ventilators and PPE.

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

3h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

7h ago

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

Dec 12, 2024

PAGC Women’s Commission Chair Shirley Henderson said she welcomes the funding which will create a new women’s shelter in the province. She said there is a need for immediate funding to provide urgent help to women and children who are at higher risk for domestic violence during the stay at home orders.

“Many of our women are living in violent situations and they don’t have a place to go. We are deeply concerned that the anxiety created by the pandemic is only making their situations of domestic violence even worse. We welcome the news of a new shelter in the province,” she said. “It’s a long time coming, but during this time of this health crisis, the need for safe shelters in Prince Albert and our northern communities is needed more than ever before.”

—

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow