Inuit leaders, MPs urge action on TB elimination as federal budget nears

With the federal budget approaching, Inuit leaders and New Democrat MPs are urging the Trudeau government to tackle tuberculosis in Indigenous communities.

Inuit in particular face a "staggering and unacceptable reality" of tuberculosis rates more than 300 times higher than Canadian-born non-Indigenous people, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) said in a pre-budget submission.

With the clock ticking on a Liberal pledge to eliminate the disease in Inuit regions by 2030, the national advocacy organization for Inuit in Canada is seeking $131.6 million over seven years — and a show of commitment — from next month's budget.

"We remain steadfast in our hope that the government of Canada still stands with us on its pledge to eliminate TB and it needs to spend money to do that," said ITK President Natan Obed.

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, but it is preventable and curable.

Despite advancements over the last decade, Inuit tuberculosis rates remained virtually unchanged, while the rates for Canadian-born non-Indigenous people decreased. 

This has widened the gap and resulted in a tuberculosis rate among Inuit reported in 2021 that was 676 times that of Canadian-born non-Indigenous people, say government briefing documents from May 2023. The documents say this may have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic as public health resources were diverted from TB.

According to one official, there is a simple reason why the federal government hasn't shown the same urgency addressing this startling situation as it did the coronavirus pandemic: systemic racism.

"It's not new," said Jesse Mike, director of social and cultural development with land claim management organization Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., in reaction to the numbers. 

"Obviously it's very frustrating, especially when our governments continue to talk about doing really great things with Indigenous communities."

The government acknowledged underlying disparities linked to colonialism, including inadequate health and social infrastructure, substandard housing and chronic food insecurity, contribute to higher infection rates.

Canada pledged $16.2 million for tuberculosis elimination in the budget last year — 12 per cent of the cash Obed said is actually required.

Mike called this an example of the Canadian government's routine underfunding of Indigenous people, warning that without sufficient money and swift action in other areas, the Liberals will miss their targets.

"We're going to continue to advocate for all of those extra funds that we require," said Mike.