News

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

 

 

(Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, Treaty 6 Territory) — Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation leadership met with Member of Parliament Buckley Belanger on Monday, March 2, to press for federal support for a new Health Centre and dedicated 24-hour urgent care facility in Pelican Narrows.

 

Chief Peter Beatty, Vice Chief Justin Halcrow, Councillors Leon Dorion, Olivia Custer and Thomas Linklater Jr., along with Pelican Narrows Mayor Ovide Michel and Deputy Mayor Gabe Michel, presented updated population, nursing and ambulance service data outlining sustained growth and escalating emergency demand in the community. Rose Michel, health director for Pelican Narrows, nurse-in-charge Rachel Johnson, Rosemarie Sewap, and Rob Ferlund also provided supporting data and materials at the meeting.

 

“Our community has grown. The demand has grown. But the building hasn’t,” said Chief Beatty. “We’re delivering 2025-level care inside a 1995 facility.”

 

Pelican Narrows’ population has increased from 2,636 in 2005 to 3,789 in 2025 — a 44 per cent rise over two decades. The Angelique Canada Health Centre, constructed in 1995, has not expanded during that period.

 

Health officials told Belanger that 23,489 patient visits were recorded in 2025-26, with more than 10,000 visits logged in the first six months of the current year alone. After-hours visits have increased from fewer than 200 per month prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to over 500 per month today.

 

Emergency volumes remain high. Last year saw 3,126 urgent presentations, 1,581 alcohol- or drug-related visits and 381 violence-related cases. Medevac numbers reached 655 — approximately 90 per cent higher than a decade ago.

 

Ambulance data also highlights growing strain. Between February 2025 and February 2026, the Pelican Narrows Ambulance Service responded to 2,335 calls. During that same period, 648 patients were transported to Flin Flon, Prince Albert or Saskatoon for hospital-level care.

Ambulances travelled more than 150,000 kilometres over northern roads last year, and officials noted that when a patient is transported to Prince Albert, the region can be without ambulance coverage for up to 12 hours.

 

“These numbers are not abstract,” said Rose Michel. “They reflect the reality our nurses and emergency staff face every single day.”

 

Leadership told Belanger that the proposed project would include a modern, culturally grounded health facility and a 24-hour urgent care centre designed to stabilize more patients locally and reduce long-distance emergency transfers.

 

“Our people should not face higher emergency risk simply because of geography,” said Chief Beatty. “If we are serious about health equity, then our infrastructure must reflect the community we are today.”

 

PBCN leadership says discussions with federal officials will continue as they pursue funding for the project.