Winnie Baiko Regional Health Unit urges Canadian government to respect 2007 agreement
OTTAWA, ON , May 27, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, Winneevaiko Area Health Authority (WAHA) President and CEO Lynn Innes was joined by Nepinak Nation of First Nations (AFN) Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Ontario Provincial Chief Glen Hare of the Ontario Council of Chiefs, and Grand Chief Leo Friday of the Mushkegouk Council to show solidarity with Innes and his insistence that the Canadian government make a written commitment to cover part of the costs of building a much-needed new medical campus in Moosonee. Chief Sylvia Koostachin Metatawabin of the Attawapiskat First Nation, representing Fort Albany First Nation, Evelyn Korkmaz, Ontario Health Association (OHA) board chair Dominic Giroux, and OHA president and CEO Anthony Dale.
Winnie Bayco Regional Health Authority logo (CNW Group/Winnie Bayco Regional Health Authority)
On April 23rd of this year, WAHA received confirmation that federal funding for the construction costs of the new health campus was not included in the 2024-2025 federal budget, as was expected. This was expected because the federal government signed the Weenee-Baiko Regional Health Integration Framework Agreement (WAHIFA) in 2007 and committed to funding 45 per cent of the capital costs of building a new health campus in the Town of Moosonee.
The new health campus will include a hostel, staff housing, a seniors care centre, a new hospital and an acute care centre on Moose Factory Island. Moosonee's new hospital will replace the Winnie Baico General Hospital (WGH) on Moose Factory Island, which was originally built as a tuberculosis facility in 1950. WGH is the oldest unrenovated hospital in Canada.
The capital planning process to gain approvals and eventual funding transfer for the new medical campus began in earnest once Innes was appointed president and CEO of WAHA in 2019. Called the WAHA Redevelopment Project, this work included regular meetings with the project’s two funders: the Government of Canada (represented by Indigenous Services Canada) and the Government of Ontario (represented by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Infrastructure).
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The redevelopment project has progressed steadily since 2019, with all partners receiving cost estimates and knowing when letters of financial support are needed to secure funding, ensuring construction on phase two will begin in fall 2024. The federal government scrapped WAHIFA after funding for the redevelopment project was not included in the 2024-2025 budget.
“Our region's colonial history is still present in our current hospital. Our elders and knowledge carriers, who were committed as children to be isolated for tuberculosis, are now forced to either return to the same facility or leave their culture, language and families behind to seek treatment in southern Ontario. This re-traumatization and re-institutionalization, combined with the dilapidated state of our facility, is a momentous event for our community. We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from Ontario's Minister of Health, Her Excellency Sylvia Jones, and from the medical and hospital professionals who have rallied behind us and brought much-needed attention to our situation.”
– Lynn Innes, President and CEO, WAHA
“This hospital project is a much-needed infrastructure undertaking that will connect to essential services for all people living in Northern Ontario, and it is particularly important to the Indigenous peoples of this region. These First Nations are ready to support the hospital's goals, participate in its planning, construction and development, and share ideas for operations that are based on their strengths and culture. The federal government has an obligation to ensure that Indigenous peoples have access to quality health care in line with their inherent and treaty rights. With that in mind, I stand with these communities and ask the Minister for a renewed commitment to ensure this project is completed.”
– AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak
“WAHA provides critical life-saving services to some of the most underserved Indigenous communities in the country, but its infrastructure has long been in need of an update. There is nowhere else in Canada where our citizens will receive this level of care – why should we? Silence speaks louder and we cannot wait any longer. Our federal treaty partners must step up to their obligations and confirm funding for this project today.”
– Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Tribe
“As leaders of our nation, we stand here not only to demand that the federal government honor its funding commitments for the new medical campus, but to defend our inherent right to equitable health care. Our presence here today echoes the voices of our ancestors who worked tirelessly for justice and sovereignty, and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our people. As Treaty nations, we stand here to ensure that promises made are kept, for the health and dignity of our community.”
– Chief Leo Friday of the Mushkegouk Council
“After 75 years, Winniebyko General Hospital is in disrepair and no longer able to provide the quality healthcare the people of Omushkego demand. It is a place of ill health, not a place of healing. A hospital in such disrepair would never be tolerated anywhere else in the country – not too far away, not inhabited by non-indigenous people. Why should it be tolerated here? Why should we be left behind?”
– Chief Peter Wesley, Moose Cree Nation
“Canada must honor its fiduciary responsibilities and keep its promises to the Omushkegouk people of James Bay. Provision of health care and access is a treaty right. Canada must be held accountable for backing out of its financial commitment to the new WAHA redevelopment project. We will no longer allow this government to continue to treat us with such neglect and disrespect.”
– Chief Sylvia Coustachin Metatawabin of the Attawapiskat First Nation
“The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) joined over 100 leaders of Ontario's hospital community in expressing our full support for the Winniebaiko Regional Health Authority (WAHA) redevelopment project. The residents of James Bay and the Hudson Bay coast, primarily Cree First Nations people, depend on WAHA for health care services. Winniebaiko General Hospital on Moose Factory Island was first built in 1950 as a tuberculosis treatment facility, but despite the heroic efforts of its staff and leadership, it is no longer in acceptable condition and cannot extend its useful life any further. By any objective criteria, the WAHA redevelopment project should be at the top of all priorities. This project is an established partnership between Infrastructure Ontario and Indigenous Services Canada, and the Ontario government has already committed to fully funding its portion. OHA and Ontario hospitals urge the Canadian government to keep its commitment and fully fund this long-delayed redevelopment project.”
– Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association
Source: Winnie Baiko Regional Health Department
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