'It means death': MMF president concerned after crucial funding dries up

Manitoba Metis Federation's president says the province's decision to cancel funding for a Mtis health program will mean death and sickness for his people.

On Tuesday, MMF president David Chartrand sat down with Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen to discuss a number of issues. Chartrand said he was told $650,000 worth of preventative health funding would not be renewed.

The funding was used to hire five people offering health care services out of Brandon, which are designed to help Mtis people find solutions to their health problems, Chartrand said.

"[The] only health department we have, that will be shut down," Chartrand said.

The four-year pilot project expired March 31 and Goertzen confirmed the project will not be renewed.

"There never was any commitment to make it permanent by the previous government. It expired before we came into government. Obviously we have some difficult choices to make and I don't think I've ever shied away from saying that," Goertzen said.

He added the government has funding pressures within the health care sector and they need to take a harsh look at every dollar being spent.

Chartrand said the lack of funds will cause Mtis people to get sick, die earlier and continue to live in crisis.

"It means fear. It means death. [It means] sickness ... We're in big trouble. This was our only conduit that shows we mattered," Chartrand said.

There are higher rates of diabetes and heart disease among Mtis people, Chartrand said and many people have relied heavily on the services since 2012.

He said the government should have given them fair warning that the funding had dried up, adding the agreement signed states three months notice was needed.

Without the money, Chartrand said he will be forced to lay off all five workers.

Chartrand is headed to Ottawa Wednesday and he said he plans on raising this issue with the treasury board and later with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Dec. 9.