Gull-Masty ready to talk funding with Nunavut health minister

Mandy Gull-Masty, the new federal Indigenous services minister, is ready to discuss the Non-Insured Health Benefits program with Nunavut Health Minister John Main, her spokesperson says.

“Minister Gull-Masty looks forward to meeting with Minister Main this week to discuss how Canada and Nunavut can work together to ensure sustainable, effective access to health care across the territory, including a long-term agreement on shared responsibility,” spokesperson Hannah Wieler said in an email.

The comments from Gull-Masty’s office come a week after Main said he will head to Ottawa to meet with the newly appointed federal cabinet minister after Nunavut’s legislative assembly sitting ends Tuesday.

Main said he looks forward to a “fresh start” with the new Liberal government. Nunavut’s Health department is seeking a $236-million funding agreement to cover the costs of the Non-Insured Health Benefits program for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.

Nunavut’s Department of Health administers the federal program with money from Indigenous Services Canada that pays for medical travel and some medical treatment not covered by territorial health insurance, such as dental care for Nunavut Inuit, among other services.

The Government of Nunavut’s latest two-year, $190-million funding agreement with the federal government expired at the end of March this year.

Without full funding, the Health Department is forced to dip into its own $580-million operating budget to cover shortfalls.

“Indigenous Services Canada recognizes the cost pressures faced by the Government of Nunavut in providing the medical travel necessary to ensure the accessibility of insured health services for Nunavummiut,” Wieler said.

“The Government of Canada remains committed to working with the Government of Nunavut to find a solution to these challenges and continuing these important discussions under the new government.”