This is the third five-year agreement and funding framework for the Cree Health Board entered into with the Government of Quebec. It will provide $60 million over five years to further develop the services offered to the Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee, including specialist services such as gynecology and obstetrics, oncology and mental health. The development of these services in Eeyou Istchee will reduce the need for Crees to travel to the south. The Cree Health Board will also advance its work to incorporate traditional Cree healing practices and to provide a culturally safe setting for service delivery to Cree clients.
The new funding framework also provides more than $600 million over five years for the construction of new health and social services facilities, including a new Regional Health Centre in Chisasibi as well as birthing centres, seniors’ centres, respite resources for the elderly, and mental health resources in the Cree communities. It also provides $44 million for information technology assets.