OTTAWA -- Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and the Ontario government announced they are investing $30 million in specialized vaccine supports.
In an effort to that First Nation and urban Indigenous communities have the necessary tools to continue protecting the province's progress in the fight against COVID-19, and the Omicron variant, the Government is providing this funding.
The funding is directed towards supporting the administration of third booster doses and the vaccination of Indigenous children ages 5 to 11, as well as for the development of communications programs to address vaccine hesitancy.
Additionally, the government believes that this funding will facilitate ongoing pandemic response measures, such as testing and contact tracing.
“The safety and well-being of Indigenous people and communities across Ontario is of utmost importance,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. “By working with First Nation, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous partners, we will ensure Indigenous communities and organizations have the necessary tools and supports they need to maintain public health measures and continue making progress in the fight against COVID-19.”
The press release indicated the specific breakdown of what this funding will include.
The $30 million funding includes:
- $10 million in formula-based funding for all 133 First Nations to support the rollout of third doses of the vaccine,
- $10 million for key urban Indigenous healthcare partners to support the continued rollout of the vaccine, including third and booster doses and to address vaccine hesitancy particularly in younger age groups,
- $3 million to further support Operation Remote Immunity which delivers vaccines to remote First Nation communities in northern Ontario which can only be reached by air,
- $7 million in application-based funding to support First Nation communities and urban Indigenous organizations.
Grand Chief Derek Fox, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, offered his reaction to this announcement. "Keeping our communities and members safe during this pandemic has been a tremendous challenge. The specialized supports this funding will provide will go a long way to ensuring that our members have access to these vaccines and vital information to overcome vaccine hesitancy. We continue to work closely with our provincial partners to ensure that all NAN members have the information they need to make informed decisions. Vaccines save lives, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone across NAN territory can confidently give their consent to receive it."
This $30 million dollar funding, in specialized vaccine supports for Indigenous communities is part of the province’s $43.5 million investment to help protect Indigenous people and communities from the impacts of COVID-19, as outlined in Ontario’s 2021 Budget.
Ontario has invested a total of $120 million to support the health and well-being of Indigenous people, since the beginning of the pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Christine Elliot, has said that, "Our government continues to work closely with Indigenous leadership, community members and frontline health care workers to ensure Ontario’s Indigenous communities and residents are protected against COVID-19 and variants. This investment will help protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19 and ensure targeted strategies to make it easier and more convenient for some of our most at-risk to get vaccinated, including first doses for children aged five to 11 and booster doses."
Solicitor General, Sylvia Jones offered her opinion regarding the importance of the government’s commitment to providing this further funding. This investment will help ensure First Nations communities and urban Indigenous organizations have the necessary resources and additional public health supports to keep people safe and healthy."
Since the beginning of the pandemic the Ontario government has focused on ensuring a continued supply of the vaccine is readily available throughout the province.
