Coalition of First Nations hoping to receive location data on Covid-19 cases

A coalition of First Nations are escalating their efforts to receive Covid-19 information.

The coalition is applying to the Information and Privacy Commissioner for an order to disclose proximate case information about the location, not personal identity, of confirmed and presumptive cases near their communities.

The application was filed by the Heiltsuk Nation, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and Tsilhqot’in National Government and it’s supported by several other First Nations, civil society groups and doctors. A public campaign dubbed “keep safe campaign” has been launched with LeadNow asking British Columbians to call on the government to release the information.

The nations also argue that B.C.’s own Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act requires the government to take all necessary measures to ensure B.C. laws are consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people.

Judith Sayers, President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council says in a press release,”We must have access to the same health data sets the BC government has, on a government-to-government basis, if we are going to get through this pandemic together.”