The Federal government has announced $650 million for income support, new emergency women’s shelters and healthcare in Indigenous communities.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says $285 million of it will go towards the healthcare component, which will allow for the hiring of more nurses, supplies and community-driven responses.
“Although we’ve made progress, there are still communities that are not properly equipped to handle a Covid-19 outbreak and we need to address that,” he said.
The second funding component will boost on-reserve income assistance via money for programming, rent and cleaning supplies.
The third funding pillar will see $85 million invested in emergency women’s shelters for indigenous women in their communities, including the far north.
Trudeau says “no one should be forced to choose between violence and homelessness.”
I’m giving an update on the steps we’re taking to keep you safe from COVID-19, and announcing new funding to help Indigenous families and communities during this crisis. Tune in now for the details: https://t.co/CswTQU28bh
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 29, 2020
To watch Justin Trudeau’s full May 29th address, see below.
https://www.cpac.ca/en/direct/cpac2/462469/pm-justin-trudeau-provides-update-on-federal-response-to-covid-19-43/