Read Fall Economic Statement 2020
https://budget.gc.ca/fes-eea/2020/report-rapport/toc-tdm-en.html
Supporting Indigenous communities
We are providing $685 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.
These funds could be used for measures including, but not limited to:
- support for Elders and vulnerable community members,
- measures to address food insecurity,
- educational and other support for children,
- mental health assistance and emergency response services,
- preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This fund provides Indigenous leadership with the flexibility needed to design and implement community-based solutions to prevent, prepare and respond to the spread of COVID-19 within their communities. These funds can be used for measures including, but not limited to:
- support for Elders and vulnerable community members
- measures to address food insecurity
- educational and other support for children
- mental health assistance and emergency response services
- preparedness measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19
For needs-based COVID-19 support funding, applicants are asked to submit their applications no later than November 30, as funding must be disbursed by Indigenous Services Canada by December 31, 2020.
For formula-based funding allocated directly to First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation communities, there is no deadline for communities. The funding is flowing through existing agreements, as per amounts identified in the map above. Métis Nation governing members received formula-based funding through existing mechanisms to facilitate funding distribution. A standard model was applied to decide how much each region received, consistent with governing members historical application to federal funding.
Supporting public health needs and preparedness
We are providing $100 million to support a range of federal health measures, including support for preparedness in First Nation and Inuit communities.
- In case of outbreaks, this funding can be accessed for surge capacity and additional support for similar services in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
Funding for additional health care resources for Indigenous communities
We are providing $285.1 million to fund community-led responses to the pandemic and provide targeted increases in primary health care resources for First Nations communities.
In case of outbreaks, this funding can be used to provide surge capacity and additional support for community-based services in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
We are providing $82.5 million in mental health and wellness supports to help Indigenous communities adapt and expand mental wellness services, improving access and addressing growing demand, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This funding will help partners and communities to adapt mental wellness services to the current COVID-19 context, including:
- expanding access to culturally appropriate services such as on the land activities, community-based health supports and mental wellness teams;
- adapting mental health services, such as virtual counselling, to meet increased demand; and
- supporting Indigenous partners in developing innovative strategies to address substance use and to improve access to treatment services.
Funding under this program will flow through distinction-based allocations to national Indigenous organizations.
Providing support to Indigenous post-secondary students
We are providing $75.2 million to offer additional distinctions-based support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation post-secondary students.
New shelters to protect and support Indigenous women and children fleeing violence
We are also announcing $1 million a year ongoing, starting this year, to support engagement with Métis leaders and service providers on shelter provision and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ and two-spirit people.
Indigenous peoples can also access all other benefits.
