(Canada Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
KUUJJUAQ, QC, July 5 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, the Premier of Québec, Jean Charest announced that the Government of Québec and the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services have concluded a seven-year agreement on the delivery and funding of health and social services in Nunavik. For the occasion, the Premier was accompanied by Lise Thériault, Minister for Social Services and Pierre Corbeil, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Region and the Nord-du-Québec Region. The announcement took place before Pita Aatami, President of Makivik Corporation and Maggie Emudluk, Chair of the Kativik Regional Government. Representing the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services was the Chair of its Board of Directors, Alasie Arngak.
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As stated by the Premier, "Much progress has been made in the region since the Katimajiit Forum in August 2007, but we know we still have more work to do. Today, we are taking an extra step to meet the concerns and needs of families living in the region's 14 villages. By the end of the agreement, the investments in health and social services will have allowed for the region's annual budget to jump by nearly 60%, an increase of $61.5 million compared to 2008-2009. My government will also invest $280 million, by 2015-2016, to help the region develop the infrastructures it needs in health and social services to better support the population." This money will particularly go towards building or expanding certain facilities, purchasing advanced medical equipment and building housing for staff, a crucial factor in the recruitment and retention of personnel.
The plan will be implemented over a seven-year period and will directly address the social problems experienced by families in the region, particularly those related to psychosocial issues, mental health, suicide, youth protection, sexual abuse and violence, alcohol and drugs, infant mortality, cancer, and dental health. "We will continue to develop front-line psychosocial and health services to prevent problems more effectively and adapt interventions, particularly with youth. It is important to build a sustainable partnership that will allow us to improve the situation together," stated the Minister for Social Services, Lise Thériault.
"We know the solution hinges on the ability of communities and their residents to take charge of their health and well-being. To effectively meet the various needs, we will either focus on a local service organization in each of the 14 villages, or a sub-regional organization on the Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay coast or for all Nunavik regions. Certain specialized services that are not available in the North will continue to be offered in Montréal," added the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Pierre Corbeil.
The 2009-2016 Strategic Plan will be achieved through annual implementation action plans. Moreover, the government and the Regional Board have agreed on the administrative details with regard to financial management and accountability reporting for health and social services in Nunavik.
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