Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee on May 24th, 2018

[Keith Conn]

Okay. I'll start.

As we alluded to earlier, we have no policy program coverage for long-term care facility construction.

In most cases—perhaps Brenda can speak to it as well—communities have been resourceful in terms of own-source revenues, monetization from the private sector, or other streams of revenue—for example, from the First Nations Finance Authority. They've created the momentum, built the facilities, and then secured the operation and maintenance for running these long-term care facilities from the provinces or territories, generally speaking.

Brenda, I don't know if you have any details.

[Brenda Shestowsky]

No, not any more than that. I would say that most communities, as Keith said, are quite resourceful in seeking out contributions through the private sector. Some provincial governments are very interested, particularly right now, in partnering with communities to develop long-term care facilities, and the majority would use own-source revenue.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

If a first nation person is in a long-term care facility and you were off reserve, you fund that service...?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

We fund the copayment charge for the individual. There may still be a gap in the operating cost of the facility.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Would that same funding be available to them if it were a facility on reserve?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

Yes.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

On the palliative care bit that you talked about earlier, we've seen palliative care initiatives coming through the House of Commons. How is that being rolled out through your organization?

[Robin Buckland]

I'll also respond to MP McLeod's question in terms of the dollars. I didn't offer much specificity, but I just found it within my notes. The budget for palliative care is $19.5 million over four years and, as I've said a couple of times, we very much want to work with our community partners to determine how the palliative care will roll out. Each region will work with our partnership tables to decide how they will implement palliative programs in their respective communities. It will differ across regions.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

How much time do I have left?

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

You have about a minute and a half.... Oh, I'm sorry. The clerk has reminded me that you only get five minutes.

[Arnold Viersen, Conservative, Peace River—Westlock, AB]

Thank you for the extra 33 seconds, then.

[The Chair, Liberal, MaryAnn Mihychuk]

I like to be generous, especially with you.

MP Dan Vandal.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Thank you for your presentation.

I want to go back to the issue of facilities. You mentioned that 29 facilities received funding. I believe it was Robin who said that, or was it Brenda?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

Yes, 29 facilities have received it.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Also, 53 facilities were own-source facilities. Are the 29 part of the 53, or did I make a mistake?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

There are 29 facilities that currently have residents in them that receive funding through the assisted living program. There is another—

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Is it the individuals who receive funding or is it the facility?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

If the client is resident off reserve, the funding goes to the facilities sometimes, and sometimes it will go to the individual. It depends on the relationship that the community has established with the off-reserve community. For the on-reserve communities, the funding would go directly to the band for them to take care of those individuals in the facility.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Okay. You also mentioned own-source facilities. What is that?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

I would say that the majority of facilities have had the infrastructure developed through own-source revenues. The department has not funded the construction of the facilities. There are some facilities that have not sought out assisted-living funding. Some bands have developed facilities on reserve and have not sought out funding through the assisted living program to support those individuals.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Is my number accurate? I heard you say 53.

[Brenda Shestowsky]

The total number...? We have 24 that have not asked for funding through the program and 29 that received funding.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

For a total of 53?

[Brenda Shestowsky]

Yes.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

In terms of geography, is there one province that has more facilities than others, or are they evenly distributed, which I doubt?