Avoid Jurisdictional Wrangling Over H1N1: NDP

Avoid Jurisdictional Wrangling Over H1N1: NDP

Friday, August 21, 2009 at 14:53

 

 

An official with the federal NDP says Ottawa needs to adopt the so-called Jordan’s Principle, when it comes to addressing the H1N1 virus.

 

Dan Wilson says he doesn’t want to see any First Nation not given the same services to protect themselves against the epidemic that are given to the mainstream population.

 

The term “Jordan’s Principle” was coined after a young First Nations boy in Manitoba was left in hospital until he died, because of squabbling between the province and federal government over who should pay for his care at home.

 

The Manitoba government has since reached an agreement with Ottawa that calls for jurisdictional disputes to be put aside when matters like that arise.

 

Wilson says this same approach needs to be taken when it comes to swinging into action against the virus.

 

“Whatever they do with regards to preparation for a possible larger outbreak, they need to ensure that the situation does not leave First Nations out of the equation,” he says.

 

Wilson says it’s better to get these things sorted out now, rather than waiting for the eruption of a full-fledged outbreak.