Minister Gaétan Barrette visits Nunavik accompanied by colleagues Geoffrey Kelley and Jean Boucher

QUÉBEC, Sept. 1, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Health and Social Services, Gaétan Barrette, accompanied by the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, and the MNA for Ungava, Jean Boucher, wrap up a second day of meetings in Nunavik today.

"Outlying areas have singular health care challenges, notably, staffing and access to specialized care. It is one thing to have knowledge of these challenges but quite another to address them directly with managers, health professionals and frontline workers who deal with them on a daily basis," stated Minister Barrette. "I am particularly satisfied with my tour of Nunavik. Visiting the Ungava Tulattavik Health Centre, the Inuulitsivik Health Centre, the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services and community resources will definitely help shape future reflexions on how our government can best respond to local needs," he concluded.

Minister Barrette's visit served as an opportunity to announce the authorization for Nunavik's Regional Board of Health and Social Services to proceed with the conception phase of plans and estimates for building the new Aupaluk Centre local de services communautaires (CLSC).

"I am pleased to see the Aupaluk CLSC project moving forward as it will help consolidate the local services' offering. Our visits and meetings over the last two days have demonstrated the importance of Inuit health care and social service needs. As Minister responsible for Native Affairs, I have the privilege of travelling to communities, visiting residents and introducing colleagues to the daily realities of First Nations. On each occasion, I ensure visitors leave as committed allies of social development and improving the local population's quality of life," noted Minister Kelley.

Ungava MNA Jean Boucher added: "I share Minister Kelley's enthusiasm in welcoming Minister Barrette in my riding because, in my opinion, there is no better way of efficiently supporting local communities than by learning about their circumstances, needs and aspirations firsthand. I am convinced this visit will have enabled the Minister to gain a better grasp of these realities and that this deeper understanding will translate into more targeted government support for health and social services."

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux

Joanne Beauvais, Press Officer for the Minister of Health and Social Services, 418-266-7171; Annie St-Onge, Press Officer for the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, 418-643-3166; Genevieve Gosselin, Political Attache for the M.N.A. for Ungava, 418- 644-1363