[Indigsol] Barriere Lake Algonquins protest Health Canada

[IPSMO]

Health Canada Red Tape Puts Community Members’ Health at Risk

For immediate release
http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org/2016/01/health-canada-red-tape-puts-community.html

(Ottawa/January 14, 2016) Representatives from the Algonquins of Barriere
Lake are in Ottawa today, protesting bureaucratic and obstructionist
practices of Health Canada. Recent changes to the administration of medical
transportation services in the community are leading to delays, loss of
access to transportation and gross inefficiencies in the use of funds. The
community is angered and frustrated that the Ministry’s red tape is putting
some of their most vulnerable community members at risk and are demanding
they be given back the authority to manage their own transportation budget.

Time and Location of Rally:
12 PM, January 14, 2016
70 Columbine Drive, Ottawa ON

As part of the health services provided to this and other Indigenous
communities across Canada, Health Canada pays for transportation to medical
appointments outside of the community, which is 3 hours north of Ottawa and
which is serviced with a basic health clinic staffed by Health Canada
nurses. Until recently, the travel expenses were efficiently managed by
community-level health centre staff using drivers contracted from the
community.

Starting in the New Year, Health Canada is requiring pre-authorizations by
federal bureaucrats for transportation to medical appointments, and is
withholding payments to the contractual drivers. These unilateral changes
are creating unnecessary delays, leading to people missing appointments,
and putting their health at risk. In one case a newborn requiring urgent
attention in Maniwaki, QC was delayed departure from the community by over
4 hours while waiting for approval for the trip. Fortunately the baby was
fine on this instance, but the waits, delays and missed appointments are
creating a tremendous amount of stress for the community.

Casey Ratt, Chief of the Alognquins of Barriere Lake, insists that the
community can manage the medical transportation funds. “We can handle this
issue locally, do it more efficiently, be more responsive and have it cost
a lot less than the current mess created by Health Canada” stated Chief
Ratt.

Health Canada’s approval requirements include 48 hours’ notice, and
disclosure of personal medical information, information that the
community’s nursing staff do not want to provide, fearing a breach of their
obligations to protect privacy.

“This issue has led to a real loss of trust between us and Health Canada”
said Chief Ratt “We have heard some encouraging words from Prime Minister
Trudeau these last few months, and appreciate his statement that for his
government there is no relationship more important than the one with
Indigenous peoples. Well it’s time for the Prime Minister and Ministers
Philpott and Bennet to live up to these commitments”

Time and Location of Rally:
12 PM, January 14, 2016
70 Columbine Drive, Ottawa ON
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