Canada’s New Government Announces Historic Health Care Agreement with Northern Ontario First Nations

News Release
2007-111
August 30, 2007
For immediate release

MOOSONEE – The Honourable Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health, announced today a new plan to resolve the duplication of health care services and health care gaps for First Nations in the Northern Ontario Weeneebayko region.

Traditionally, federal and provincial governments have both offered health care services to First Nations communities in this James Bay region, resulting in a duplication of health care delivery, health services gaps, and not providing all communities with the quality, timely health care they need and deserve.The new agreement, which Canada’s New Government will be signing with the Province of Ontario and communities in the Weeneebayko area, is called the Weeneebayko Area Health Integration Framework Agreement.

“This agreement demonstrates once again our government’s commitment to improving health care services for First Nations people,” said Minister Clement. “First Nations in the region will be able to take a greater role in managing health care services in their communities.”

Once the agreement is underway, Canada’s New Government will be investing $12 million per year towards ensuring the new focused and collaborative objectives are achieved. By integrating federal and provincial health services under a community-controlled organization, local residents will see real and positive change in health care delivery focused on community needs.

The new agreement will allow parties to collaborate on a more effective way to deliver health care services, including:

– Agreeing to cost-share certain health care services to create greater economies of scale;
– Amalgamating thefederal Weeneebayko General Hospital with the provincial James Bay General Hospital;
– Providing capital funding for new projects;
– Improving primary health services through effective integration with hospital services under the direction of a single provider.

As this agreement evolves over time it will address patient needs, demographics, performance standards and other factors concerning health care in order to provide residents in the Weeneebayko area with an efficient and effective health care system.

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Media Enquiries:
Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709