Pregnant Greenlander stranded in Montreal

In another case last week, Nunavik House refused lodging to a resident of Kuujjuaq — a young pregnant woman from Greenland, who is now living in Kuujjuaq with her common-law beneficiary spouse, who is a beneficiary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

She was recently medevaced to Montreal when doctors feared she might deliver before her due date in September.

She was told she couldn’t deliver her baby in Kuujjuaq if it arrived before September, due to the lack of doctors: if she returned to Kuujjuaq, it would be at her own risk.

But she was also told she couldn’t stay at Nunavik House after her release from hospital, either, to await the birth of her baby, who is a future beneficiary.

Until being called by the Nunatsiaq News, Ginette Taillon, coordinator of the Northern Module, which provides patient services to Nunavimmiut in Montreal, was unaware of this case, but then said “there are always alternatives to being out on the street.”

“We’re well organized enough that everyone receives adequate care. We have more pregnant women, it’s true, but we are organized for this. They need to be well taken care of,” she said.

Taillon said the reason this pregnant Greenlandic woman was refused lodging is because she lacks a valid Canadian health card.