Ottawa unveils more pandemic support for Indigenous communities

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is adding $200 million to its funding to fight COVID-19 in Indigenous communities.

More than half of that is going to pre-schools and daycare centres, to improve training and staffing and enhance cleaning.

About $60 million is going to First Nations to make community buildings safer with renovations, better cleaning and upgraded ventilation.

Another$26 million is for Indigenous post-secondary institutions for physical improvements and to make it easier to offer services and courses online, Trudeau said.

The new money is on top of more than $2.2 billion the federal government has already allocated to help Indigenous and northern communities get through the health crisis.

Among other things, the government has committed $685 million for the Indigenous CommunitySupport Fund, which includes funding to address food insecurity, education and other support for children.

It is spending another $650 million to help Indigenous communities respond to the pandemic and for income support.

And it has devoted $122 million to help ensure a safe return to schools on reserves.