Feds find funding for residential school survivors, providers to travel for counselling

Feds find funding for residential school survivors, providers to travel for counselling

Counsellors were told last week travel costs would no longer be paid for

Indigenous Services Canada has confirmed it now has funding available to pay for travel costs so residential school survivors and their family members can continue in-person counselling.

The news comes after mental health counsellors were told last week travel costs would no longer be paid for though the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program.

Indigenous Services Canada told CBC News of the change in an email Wednesday afternoon.

The funding will pay for travel costs in the N.W.T. and Nunavut for the rest of the current fiscal year. It applies to both clients and counsellors.

Earlier this week, ISC said funding was still in place for virtual appointments, but counsellors said many of their clients in remote communities didn’t have access to reliable internet or phone, or a quiet place to carry out such appointments.

Counsellors and Dene National Chief George Mackenzie have denounced that decision.

On Wednesday, an Indigenous Services Canada spokesperson said the funding will allow both in-person and virtual services to continue, while the department works to develop a plan for the coming years.

With files from Sarah St-Pierre