Mr. Speaker, the Inter Tribal Health Authority serves 28 first nations communities on Vancouver Island and the surrounding areas.
First nations are challenged by health issues, such as the legacy of residential schools and the epidemic of diabetes and heart disease.
The ITHA works with first nations leaders and community health staff to ensure culturally appropriate services are available even in the smallest communities. This includes state-of-the-art health information technology that will ensure modern services and programs are available that are second to none.
The ITHA is among the first in the country to work closely with first nations and Health Canada to develop comprehensive community-based pandemic plans.
ITHA is on the leading edge of health care in Canada, based on first nations initiatives and leadership through self-determination and proactive programming.
I salute its hard work and look forward to seeing even more innovation in its health care services.