[IPSM] Chiefs furious after body bags sent to reserves

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Chiefs furious after body bags sent to reserves

Updated Wed. Sep. 16 2009 9:18 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Opposition critics and First Nations leaders are slamming the government 
after Health Canada shipped dozens of body bags to aboriginal 
communities in Manitoba that have been hit hard by swine flu.

Chiefs said the body bags were sent to a handful of northern communities 
where dozens had to be airlifted earlier this year.

"If this is preparedness, they're sending the wrong message to our 
communities. Who would do such a thing?" Grand Chief David Harper, 
representing Manitoba's northern First Nations, asked Wednesday.

"It's like sending body bags to Afghanistan for our soldiers. We've been 
asking for proper health institutions, proper health equipment. Instead, 
what do we get? Body bags. That's totally unacceptable."

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said at a flu briefing in Ottawa 
Wednesday that she too was disturbed by the move.

"I have ordered my deputy minister to conduct a thorough and immediate 
inquiry into the situation and I will continue to work with First 
Nations, provinces and territories to ensure all Canadians are informed 
and protected against H1N1," she said.

Aglukkaq said she only found out about the body bag shipments during the 
press conference and could not answer any more questions.

David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer, called the 
body bags "unnecessary."

Opposition critics immediately slammed the move, saying it shows the 
government is unprepared in its flu response.

"This is an absolute disgrace. This is morally appalling," Liberal 
health critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett said in a news release. "Instead of 
flu-kits, instead of preparing and planning to get the vaccine on time - 
instead of planning to save lives - they spent their time planning on 
how to deal with the deaths."

Bennett is among the many critics who have expressed frustration with 
the government's slow response to help northern aboriginal communities 
deal with the H1N1 pandemic.

New Democrat MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis said she was angry that Health 
Canada refused to send hand sanitizer to reserves but is now sending 
body bags.

She said the move gives a poor impression about how Canada is preparing 
to deal swine flu if there is a larger outbreak.

Canada announced its priority list for vaccinations Wednesday, and those 
living in remote communities were on the list, alongside health workers, 
pregnant women and children.