At least three psychologists working for Indigenous Services Canada haven’t been paid in months, and one no longer takes federal contracts following a change in government providers last July.
“It isn’t worth it anymore. I shouldn’t have to spend more time trying to get paid than I do working with a patient,” said one psychologist, who recently had to drop her only Indigenous client. “You file a claim with an authorization number, you’re told the number isn’t valid anymore. You refile, you get on the phone, you try again and nothing happens.”