Opaskwayak Cree Nation Celebrates A New Health Facility Funded Through Canada's Economic Action Plan

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Oct 2010 - 1:00 PDT


The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Provencher, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced funding for a new health centre in Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The new facility will provide the Opaskwayak Cree Nation with larger and better quality space to deliver health programs and services to its community members.

The new facility, which will house a number of health programs and services, is the result of a $3.34 million investment by the Government of Canada through its Economic Action Plan (EAP).

"Our Government is proud to have supported the building of this health facility," said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health. "This new facility will provide the Opaskwayak First Nation members with improved access to health care providers and health services."

"I am pleased to take part in the announcement of this new health facility in Opaskwayak Cree Nation," said the Honourable Vic Toews. "Community members of Opaskwayak Cree Nation will benefit from this health centre for many years to come."

"We believe in incorporating Native traditional medicine with contemporary Western medicinal practices in a setting that attracts qualified medical professionals," said Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief Michael G. Constant. "This new health centre will provide the best of both worlds for the residents of our community."

The new facility will be operated by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation and will offer programs and services that will have a direct impact on the health of community members, such as the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.

Canada's Economic Action Plan is providing funds for more than 40 major health facility construction projects in First Nation communities across the country and supporting some 130 renovation projects to existing First Nations health infrastructure, such as nursing stations and nurses' residences. The total funding being provided through Canada's Economic Action Plan for these projects is $135 million.

In addition to the investment of $135 million in health infrastructure for First Nations, the Economic Action Plan provided $305 million over two years to strengthen current First Nations and Inuit health programs ($240 million for Non-Insured Health Benefits and $65 million to ensure 24/7 availability of nursing services in remote and isolated communities served by Health Canada).

Source:
Health Canada

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