North

Feds announce $18M for N.W.T. health care

The Conservative government's cash blitz continues with the announcement of an extra $18 million in health care money for the N.W.T., all from the Territorial Health Investment Fund.

Cash will help amalgamate health boards, improve dental care

Stanton Territorial Hospital is seen behind Yellowknife's Frame Lake. Ottawa announced Thursday it would offer another $18 million over three years for health care in the N.W.T. (Sara Minogue/CBC)

The Conservative government's cash blitz continues with the announcement of an extra $18 million over the next three years to improve health care in the N.W.T.

The bulk of the money — $8.5 million — will help the government amalgamate its present eight health boards into one. 

About $4.5 million will go to improving dental care for children, focusing on early detection of oral health diseases.

More than $5 million will help pay for medical travel.

Another $400,000 will allow the territory to set up after-care and counselling for people who've gone back to their communities after addictions treatment.

The money comes from the $70 million Territorial Health Investment Fund, set up by the federal government in 2014 to provide extra health money for the territories.