Status of Women Committee on April 26th, 2022

[Dr. Debbra Greig]

Thank you.

Yes, the rural communities are very hard up as far as technology is concerned. Oftentimes, the Internet systems don't work anyway. It's really hard. I think the government needs to invest in getting credentialed professionals made available who can come to these communities and provide services to the communities. The support staff in the communities should also be trained so that they can be made available to support people who are looking for development in all the areas we're addressing here.

As well, the government needs to make those funds permanent—not just project funds.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Go ahead, Madam Redsky.

[Diane Redsky]

Yes. All of that, and I would also say that what is really important is equitable funding, time and time again. Winnipeg is in the south, so my knowledge is limited, but our northern friends constantly share about the inequality of funding. What it costs to run a program in Winnipeg is not the same as what it costs in northern Manitoba or anywhere in the north.

We really need to ensure that there is an equality lens placed on funding and on the resources going into the north. I think we just got used to not doing that. We need to really shift to looking at equitable funding models so that people have enough resources to do the work.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Thank you.

Mental health is also a very important issue. Often remote and virtual tools are utilized for some individuals. How can we provide quality mental health services to the more remote and northern areas? Do you have specific programs?

[Diane Redsky]

Everywhere you go across the country, everybody will have their own strengths and solutions on what works within their community. My go-to is always to look for the women and the community. You start there and expand from that point, because they're the ones who are going to know what's going on and what the solutions are, and they really need to be supported to facilitate those solutions.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

Ms. Greig, do you want to add to that?

[Dr. Debbra Greig]

Indigenous Services Canada does fund mental health services all across the north. In the Yukon, there are also non-insured health benefits. There's a process to get involved. It's a bit tedious, but it does provide resources, and there are servers for remote areas, which is very important. All of that is a valuable resource. It's not enough, but it's a valuable resource to get things moving in the right direction, because everybody, especially in the rural communities, needs to hear that they are being supported somehow. The treatment programs need to be further funded so that the people can get the addictions treatments they need.

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Sonia, you can do a 10-second round.

[Sonia Sidhu, Liberal, Brampton South, ON]

The reason I'm asking that is there are federal programs and tools like Wellness Together, but we know we have to first listen to the grassroots solution.

In your opinion, can the virtual care model be utilized in remote and northern areas?

[The Chair, Conservative, Karen Vecchio]

Sonia, I love the question, but we're already past time. I will leave that for everybody to think about. If there is an answer to that, please write to our clerk.

Thank you so much, and thanks, everybody, for staying on. I hope that this new format has worked well for everybody.

On behalf of the status of women committee, I'd really like to thank our witnesses for today.

We will see you all back on Friday afternoon.

We are adjourned for today.