Ottawa invests $5.4M more in Sask virtual care

WHITECAP DAKOTA NATION, Sask. – The federal government announced $5.4 million in new funding for the Virtual Health Hub (VHH) alongside chief Darcy Bear and Virtual Health Hub CEO Dr. Ivar Mendez (pictured) in Whitecap Dakota Nation.

The investment will support the VHH’s 2026–2027 operating budget and is in addition to the over $28.2 million Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has already invested toward the construction of the future facility located in Whitecap Dakota Nation, which is expected to open in early 2027.

The VHH is creating a new way to deliver healthcare to northern and remote communities. From a state-of-the-art command centre in Whitecap Dakota Nation, health professionals will use telehealth, artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging technologies to connect patients with high-quality care without requiring long-distance travel.

The model is designed to help overcome some of the barriers that have made accessing healthcare difficult for people living in northern and remote communities. It will connect patients with health professionals in real time and bring more services directly into communities.

“The Virtual Health Hub (VHH) represents an innovative solution to one of Canada’s most pressing healthcare challenges: delivering equitable, sustainable care to remote and underserved populations,” said Dr. Ivar Mendez, CEO, Virtual Health Hub.

He added, “The VHH is developing a specialized facility, the first-of-its-kind in Canada, designed to house advanced virtual healthcare services, including virtual care technologies, remote-presence robotics, AI-supported diagnostics, and real-time access to medical specialists. By leveraging these technologies, the VHH aims to improve health outcomes, reduce the need for patient travel, and strengthen continuity and coordination of care across communities in Saskatchewan and beyond.”

Once fully operational, the VHH will support 80 jobs and have the capacity to serve 30 communities. By 2029, its reach is expected to expand to as many as 90 northern and remote communities.

The VHH will also help build healthcare capacity for the future. Through partnerships with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the University of Saskatchewan, it will support training opportunities for Indigenous students and health professionals, helping more people develop the skills to deliver care in their own communities.

The Virtual Health Hub is a First Nations-led model that brings together healthcare, technology, training and community leadership to improve access to care.

“With the construction of the Virtual Health Hub’s new facility well underway, Whitecap is proud to partner and enable healthcare professionals to provide remote, effective and efficient solutions to remote and rural communities. When those doors open, people in rural and northern Saskatchewan will get public healthcare closer to home,” said chief Darcy Bear, Whitecap Dakota Nation.

“I have been a strong supporter of the Virtual Health Hub since its conception, and I believe the future of healthcare is taking shape right here in Whitecap Dakota Nation through the innovation this community is leading,” said minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty.

“This new model will bring high-quality health services to some of the most remote communities across the province. It is another example of the vision and leadership of Whitecap Dakota Nation. Congratulations to chief Bear, Dr. Mendez, and everyone who has worked to bring this groundbreaking initiative to life.”

The Virtual Health Hub is a partnership between both levels of government, the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT), and Whitecap Dakota Nation.