John Main says Health Department struggling to secure deal with Indigenous Services Canada
This story was updated on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, to include comments from Indigenous Services Canada.
The Government of Nunavut is still struggling to reach a deal with the federal government to fund a health services program covering medical boarding homes and dental care for Inuit, says Health Minister John Main.
Speaking in the Nunavut legislative assembly Feb. 20, Main told MLAs his department has found itself in a “difficult situation” with Indigenous Services Canada for a funding agreement for the Non-Insured Health Benefits program.
The comments came up when Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet MLA Alexander Sammurtok pressed Main about the possibility of building a medical boarding home for patients travelling through Rankin Inlet — something he’s asked the GN about many times in the past.
For the boarding home, Main said his department is still working on a feasibility study.
“The plan would be to take that study to Indigenous Services Canada, who pays for the boarding homes, and use that study to say, ‘Look, this is what’s need and let’s work together to make it happen,’” Main said, adding the federal government would be responsible for operating a boarding home in Rankin Inlet, if one were built.
Main then went on to give a broader update on discussions between the GN and federal government regarding funding for the program.
“I’m sad to report that we are again running into delays and barriers to securing a contribution agreement for the upcoming fiscal year for non-insured health benefits,” Main said.
“It’s very concerning, because it’s tens of millions of dollars of expense.”
The non-insured health benefits program is a “federal responsibility,” Main said. Therefore, he stated, Ottawa needs to cover “100 per cent” of its cost.
“We want to use the Nunavut government dollars for things that Nunavummiut need,” Main said.
“We don’t want to be covering bills on behalf of our federal partners.”
Main declined to speak further on the issue when asked by reporters after the sitting.
He said he would have more to say this week.
Main made similar comments about a year ago in the legislative assembly. At the time, he threatened to send administration of the Non-Insured Health Benefits program to Ottawa.
Main announced in May the two sides had reached a $190-million interim deal, which is now set to expire next month.
Nunatsiaq News asked Indigenous Services Canada for a response to Main’s criticisms, as well as an update on negotiations.
Spokesperson Jacinthe Goulet said the federal government recognizes the “complex and unique” challenges in Nunavut in regards to access to health care.
She also pointed to the interim $190-million funding agreement and said the federal government “remains committed” to working with the GN and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to “ensure Nunavummiut continue to have seamless access to the health supports they need through the existing integrated territorial health system.”
link