BACKGROUND
The Ontario government announced it would allocate over $37 million dollars to support Indigenous Communities in prevention and mitigation efforts and, to ensure the health and well-being of Indigenous Ontarians.
KEY-POINTS
The funding will respond to the unique needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people and families across the province. The total of $37.8 million includes:
- $16.4 million from the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs to provide emergency funds for food, household goods, critical supplies, transportation, and support and care, responsive services and supports for urban Indigenous people, self-isolation facilities in remote and northern communities, prevention and awareness efforts, and pandemic planning;
- $10 million from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to support Indigenous communities and agencies in responding to the needs of vulnerable children, families and elders during the outbreak;
- $7.4 million from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to help social service providers, charities and non-profits delivering critical housing services to Indigenous people living off-reserve; and
- $4 million from the Ministry of Transportation to ensure continued service to remote and northern airports, enabling essential goods and services to continue reaching isolated communities.
Based on the details released to date, it does not appear that the funding will be directly accessible by indigenous communities but rather is meant to enable provincial partners and agencies to respond to needs as they arise.
Full Release: https://news.ontario.ca/mirr/en/2020/04/ontario-helping-indigenous-communities-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19.html
