Speech for Minister of Health for the Signing of the Collaboration Protocol

September 19, 2009
Ottawa, Ontario

Check Against Delivery

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,
Minister Strahl,
Chief Atleo,

It's a pleasure for me to be here with my friend and colleague, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, to give you an update on how we are working with First Nation communities to prepare for a possible new wave of the H1N1 virus.

The Departments of Health and Indian and Northern Affairs are working cooperatively to ensure that, as the pandemic unfolds among First Nations people living on reserves, we are ready to respond in a well-coordinated and effective manner.

We are also committed to working with Chief Atleo to ensure that we have a comprehensive and coordinated approach to pandemic planning for on-reserve First Nations communities.

Health Canada officials, both in Ottawa and in regional offices across the country, regularly consult Chiefs and other leaders on pandemic and response issues.

I have already met with many Chiefs and other First Nation leaders, and in the coming days, I will visit various First Nation communities across Canada.

Since the H1N1 pandemic was declared in the spring, the Government of Canada has provided important health information to some 1 400 Aboriginal health organizations such as community health groups, healing lodges, health access centres, addiction centres, and nursing stations.

We have made information available on the Internet through our Fight Flu website, which has specific information for people living in First Nation and Inuit communities. We have also produced culturally appropriate posters and print ads for Aboriginal communities, and we intend to release radio ads soon.

Health Canada also provides financial and technical support to First Nation communities to assist in preparing, updating and testing their pandemic plans. We've been providing all nursing stations in First Nations communities with additional protective medical supplies such as gloves, gowns, and masks.

We have pre-positioned antivirals, so if they're needed in a remote community, they can be accessed as quickly as possible. And Indian and Northern Affairs is working with us to improve the supply of water to communities to help prevent and control infections in on-reserve homes.

The Government of Canada understands the unique challenges First Nation peoples living on-reserve and in isolated and remote communities must address.

Many First Nation communities are located in remote areas, and several of these communities have a high proportion of at-risk populations, that could experience severe H1N1 disease, including young children, pregnant women and people with underlying chronic diseases like diabetes.

That's why we must address the concerns and challenges of First Nations people together, in partnership, to respond quickly and effectively if H1N1 becomes more widespread on reserves.

Which brings us to today's announcement.

I am pleased to join Minister Strahl and Chief Atleo in signing a Collaboration Protocol that affirms our Government's partnership with the Assembly of First Nations.

The AFN's sound advice and input will help Minister Strahl and I to carry out our commitments to better protect the health and safety of First Nations people on reserves.

Under this Protocol, we will develop culturally appropriate communications products for First Nations communities and jointly participate on committees that address the needs of remote and isolated communities.

Our Government will also continue to look for new ways to share critical health information with people living in these communities. We will listen and respond to their concerns.

And, we will continue to meet regularly with representatives of national Aboriginal organizations.

In mid-October, Chief Atleo and I will launch a virtual, interactive summit to enhance H1N1 communications through a network of partners in all jurisdictions.

The summit will take the form of a four-hour nation-wide broadcast and will facilitate the virtual participation of partners across the country, with up to one thousand online participants.

A moderator will lead discussions on issues related to H1N1 in on-reserve First Nations communities with delegates representing Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs, The Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Assembly of First Nations.

This summit will provide key players with a forum where we can all participate in and benefit from a comprehensive overview of pandemic preparedness tools, strategies, policies and guidelines.

This virtual summit complements the intent of the Collaboration Protocol. And, it demonstrates our commitment to work cooperatively on First Nations H1N1 pandemic preparedness and to ensure open and transparent communications and information sharing.

Working together as partners, Chief Atleo, the Government of Canada, and First Nations communities will be ready to respond to a new wave of H1N1 if and when we need to.

Thank you.