Government of Canada partners with Indigenous communities to address the growing health impacts of climate-sensitive diseases

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced $3.3 million over three years for five projects in collaboration with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities.

June 18, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada

Changes in the environment are leading to the establishment of infectious diseases, such as tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, in new regions of Canada, impacting the health and well-being of people across the country. There can often be disproportionate impacts on Indigenous communities, compounding existing public health challenges and widening health inequities.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced $3.3 million over three years for five projects in collaboration with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. These projects will help communities prepare for and respond to the growing health impacts of climate change on the spread of infectious diseases.

The five projects, funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Infectious Disease and Climate Change Fund (IDCCF), will support community-driven initiatives that integrate Indigenous knowledge with Western science. This work will raise awareness, build surveillance capacity, and empower communities to monitor, prevent, and respond to climate-sensitive infectious disease risks.

Funding recipients include Aurora College, the Canadian Pharmacists Association in collaboration with Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross in collaboration with the Nunatsiavut Government, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak.