Tanshi. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Chair and committee members. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your hearing today.
I am here as the president of the Métis National Council to speak to you on the administration and accessibility of non-insured health benefits for Métis people. This has been identified as a top health priority for the Métis Nation's citizens.
On April 13, 2017, the Canada-Métis Nation Accord was signed by the Métis National Council, its governing members and the Prime Minister on behalf of Canada. It recognizes the Métis Nation as a distinct indigenous nation with inherent rights and formalized the nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship between the Métis Nation and the Government of Canada.
The Métis Nation, with its own collective identity, language and way of life, continues to advance its right to self-determination, including self-government in Canada, through democratically elected governance structures and registries. Each governing member is mandated to represent its citizens. As a constitutionally recognized indigenous people, Métis must have the same opportunity as first nations and Inuit to contribute to the achievement of an overall health status comparable to the Canadian population, and shift the focus of health service delivery from an illness model to a prevention, wellness and health promotion model.
Métis people do not have poor health outcomes because they are Métis. Poor health outcomes are a result of oppressive policies that have effectively sought to erase or assimilate the Métis. Health is not merely the absence of disease. For the Métis Nation, it is a state of balanced and interconnected relationship between physical, mental, social, spiritual, environmental and cultural well-being.
A self-determined Métis version of the non-insured health benefits will work toward improved health and well-being for Métis citizens, families and communities now and for future generations. It is increasingly clear that these health inequities arise from disparities in Métis social determinants of health and the processes of colonization, forced assimilation and social exclusion.
In 2013, the Health Council of Canada reported that despite significant investment to address inequities in the health status and health outcomes of aboriginal peoples, the impact of these initiatives is unclear. None of the noted federal health services available to other indigenous people are currently available, nor have they ever been available, to Métis people. Provincial supports and services are also not meeting the needs of Métis citizens.
However, a positive example can be found in the territories. The Government of the Northwest Territories' Métis health benefits program provides Métis with access to a range of benefits not covered by standard hospital and medical care insurance, including eligible prescription drugs, dental services, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, and medical transport and accommodation. Benefits of this nature should be available to Métis citizens across the homeland.
Métis non-insured health benefits should be financially sustained by federal financial resources and coordinated with provincial authorities and private insurance providers. With secured resources, the MNC's governing members are ready to action the exploration of operational and financial models responsible for the needs of Métis citizens. These actions will include feasibility analyses of benefit plans, coverage, cost-benefit analysis, burden of disease, health and economic impact assessments.
Everyone in Canada has the right to health. This right is defined and protected by international human rights treaties that Canada has ratified. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights affirms the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
In the Canadian context, the preamble to the Canada Health Act states:
—that continued access to quality health care without financial or other barriers will be critical to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of Canadians;
Specific to indigenous peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's call to action number 20 calls upon the federal government to “recognize, respect, and address the distinct health needs of the Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve Aboriginal peoples.”
These rights mean that all indigenous people should be able to access the health and wellness programs, services and non-insured health benefits they need, when and where they need them, without suffering financial hardship or encountering anti-indigenous racism. Many Métis cannot realize the right to health as it currently stands.
In the current system, Métis are underserved and marginalized, resulting in poorer health outcomes and vulnerability. The Canadian federal, provincial and territorial governments have an obligation to support the opportunity for barrier-free, high-quality, culturally safe and equitable health programs, services and benefits for Métis citizens.
We are working alongside the government and having conversations, and we hope to propose a self-determined Métis non-insured health benefits plan. The Métis Nation is committed to working with all levels of government as an equal partner to make this happen. We look forward to actioning a Métis non-insured health benefits program.
Thank you again for the opportunity to articulate the immediate health priority of the Métis Nation and express the voice of Métis citizens.
We welcome any questions you may have. Marci.