First Nations infrastructure spending ‘drop in the bucket,’ says Philpott

“In many communities there are nursing stations or health centres — they have had very little done in the way of improving the facilities and expanding them as needed,” she said. “We said that’s unacceptable.”

Health Canada has health facilities in 366 reserves, not including British Columbia.

Money isn’t the only problem, Philpott added. Colonialism, racism and intergenerational trauma are all connected to health challenges for First Nations people.

Following Wednesday’s committee testimony, Philpott also acknowledged the problem of child sexual abuse in aboriginal communities — the focus of a recent investigation by The Canadian Press.

“It is something that has to be discussed,” she said in an interview.

During Wednesday’s hearings, NDP indigenous affairs critic Charlie Angus pressed Philpott about the fact Health Canada does not track the number of First Nations children denied mental health services, despite the fact they are at higher risk of suicide.

“How can you tell us you are actually looking after these children if you don’t bother to track?” Angus said, describing the situation as “a form of systemic negligence.”

Philpott referred the question to Health Department official Sony Perron, who said denials are not tracked because the service is coming from private providers.

“We confirm that we will be covering the cost,” Perron said.

—Follow @kkirkup on Twitter

Kristy Kirkup, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

First Nations infrastructure spending ‘drop in the bucket,’ says Philpott

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