Mr. Speaker, as I rise to speak in support of Bill C-95, an act to fix the name of the Department of Health, I am inclined to ask how many hon. members know that above all it is a department that puts its money where the greatest need is no matter where in the country.
Counting all Canadians from coast to coast to coast the greatest health needs are found among the First Nations. For native peoples life expectancy is seven years lower than the Canadian average. Newborn die four times as often. Substance abuse is prevalent. Sickness is more pervasive. Children are most at risk for malnutrition. For these reasons two out of every three dollars spent by the Department of Health excluding transfers to provinces go to enhance native health. More than 2,000 employees of the depart-
ment are in the direct care business, mostly dedicated to helping Indians on lands reserved for Indians.
At a time when most government programs are being cut back, the Minister of Health prevailed to secure additional funds for native health in the recent budget. The government remains committed to mending the inequities that have persisted far too long.
The growth in expenditure will gradually taper down but lead time has been provided for native leaders in consultation with the department to explore alternate approaches to achieving the same levels of quality care that other Canadians have come to expect as their right. It is an essential part of Health Canada's mandate to help First Nations achieve the highest possible standards of health care. The department is expanding some programs and introducing others.
Health Canada's building healthy communities strategy is funded by $243 million over five years to strengthen and expand existing health programs for native people in areas of critical need, including solvent abuse, mental health and home care nursing. The strategy is designed in consultation with First Nations and Inuit leaders.
Last May the minister announced supplementary funding under the solvent abuse program for six new permanent treatment centres to deal with solvent abuse among First Nations and Inuit people. The centres are located in northern B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, southern Ontario and Quebec.
Last May the minister also announced the aboriginal head start aimed at helping disadvantaged children overcome some of poverty's life-drag effects. As it evolves it will provide more and more children with a positive self-image, a desire for learning, and an opportunity to develop social, emotional, physical and learning skills.
Aboriginal people have told us there is a need for programs for young children and families that reflect the culture and experience of their communities. Together with Canada's aboriginal community we have embarked on a mission that will support the need. All Canadians can be proud of the program because its design was developed with input from aboriginal people in both urban and northern communities across the country.
Aboriginal head start represents a made in Canada approach that can begin to address the unique needs of First Nations, Metis and Inuit preschool children and their families. There is ample evidence of the health and educational differences that exist between the Indian, Inuit and Metis people when compared with other Canadians. We know that by working together we can better deal with these problems.
Over half Canada's aboriginal population does not live on reserves and this population is very young. While 7 per cent of Canada's total population is under four years of age, 13 per cent of the aboriginal population is under four, nearly twice as high. Studies of head start programs have proven that investing in young children is one of the best investments society can make. Head start programs for young children can have a profound and positive effect on their lives.
The elders tell us that every child has his or her own gift and that it is the responsibility of the community to identify that gift, nurture it and ensure that each child is aware of how special she or he is and that she or he is a gift from the creator. This traditional belief is a natural starting point for a healthy beginning in life. Aboriginal head start is similar to a community based early intervention program developed in the United States more than 30 years ago. Those who are familiar with the head start program will be pleased to know that while we will build on their many successes we hope to improve on what they have done.
An important recommendation from our talks with aboriginal people was to make the program flexible. Doing so allows the uniqueness of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities to be respected. Aboriginal head start is not complicated and it will have little red tape. It focuses on local non-profit organizations controlled and administered by aboriginal people who see the parent as the natural advocate of the child. Grandparents and elders play a significant role in aboriginal head start projects. Young aboriginal children will benefit from their wisdom and knowledge of tradition. All aboriginal head start projects will have strong parental involvement.
Aboriginal head start will be guided in each region by a committee comprised of aboriginal people who have been nominated by their peers and bring with them an appreciation and understanding of aboriginal cultures, values, traditions, experience and educational expertise. They will assist in identifying priority sites and selecting projects.
As well, a national aboriginal head start committee is being established to ensure the initiative has support and strength across Canada. Its members will be chosen because they have a broad understanding of early childhood development.
It is clear to the federal government that programs for aboriginal people, designed and delivered by it, are more successful than those delivered by outside agencies. I have no doubt that aborigi-
nal head start committees and local head start projects will succeed.
We have placed our investment and trust at the community level because we believe one of the ultimate goals of this initiative is to help parents and children build better futures for themselves. The Government of Canada will continue to work in strong partnership with Indian, Inuit, and Metis people in fulfilling the commitments made in the red book. Through the aboriginal head start program we are continuing to promote community action and empower communities by providing the tools and resources to improve overall economic and social opportunities for children and families.
Although it was inspired by a community based program of early intervention and had its start in the U.S. more than 30 years ago, this head start program is much improved, based on substantial input from aboriginal people in urban and northern communities.
Aboriginal head start will be flexible, respecting the unique characteristics of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. Grandparents, elders, and parents will play significant roles and the program will be guided in each region by a committee of aboriginal people nominated by their community.
Head start programs for young children have profoundly positive long term effects. Their impact on aboriginal communities will be even greater elsewhere because in these communities there are nearly twice as many children under the age of four, nearly twice as many in proportion to their share of Canada's population.
One specific program illustrates the care and concern manifest in this department. Last May, Health Canada was the major sponsor of the third annual international conference on diabetes and indigenous peoples, which was held in Winnipeg. Hon. members may be aware that diabetes is one of the most serious chronic diseases among aboriginal populations in Canada. Diabetes rates for natives are from two to five times greater than for Canadians in general.
Health Canada works in partnership with aboriginal people to improve knowledge and treatment of diabetes. The department recognizes what the minister calls the critical role for traditional aboriginal practices in the healing process. This recognition of the value of traditional practices is of fundamental importance and reflects the department's major focus on the native front, which continues to be transfer of control of programs to First Nations.
Over the years, Health Canada has come to recognize that health programs designed and delivered within aboriginal communities are often more successful than those delivered by outside agencies. Therefore, it now works with First Nations to enhance their control of health resources. There have been more than 40 health transfer agreements concluded, involving about 100 First Nations, and the annual expenditures are more than $43 million. About twice as many again are under negotiation. Self-administered health care is one of the powers that will eventually enable First Nations to achieve self-government.
I have used this occasion to remind hon. members and all Canadians of the commitment in this department to improving health and longevity for Canada's first peoples. There remains much to be done, but I know that our Department of Health, rechristened and recharged, will reconfirm its dedication to those most in need.
I am pleased to support this clearing of the deck and positioning for the future brought about through Bill C-95.