Question Period Note: Forced sterilization

• Forced and coerced sterilization is a deeply troubling violation of human rights.

• The Government of Canada has committed to addressing anti-Indigenous racism in Canada's health systems. Budget 2021 provided $126.7M over 3 years, beginning in 2021-22, to take action to foster health systems free from racism and discrimination where Indigenous Peoples are respected and safe.

• Impacted individuals requiring mental health or crisis support can contact the 24/7 Hope for Wellness Line.

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If pressed on forced and coerced sterilization
• All Indigenous women must receive culturally safe health services with fully informed consent.

• The department’s response has focused on prevention and includes:
o supporting a national forum on informed consent in 2020 to guide future work;
o supporting national Indigenous women’s organizations to raise awareness and begin to understand the scope; and,
o investing in Indigenous midwifery.

• Of the $126.7M anti-Indigenous racism investment, Budget 2021 will provide $33.3M for Indigenous midwives and doulas, regional and grassroots organizations, and youth sexual health networks to increase awareness of reproductive rights.

• This investment includes funding for Indigenous women’s organizations to ensure their voices are heard and to support their work on racism and Indigenous women's health.

• The Advisory Committee on Indigenous Women’s Wellbeing is guiding our response.

If pressed further on actions being taken

• Following the death of Joyce Echaquan, three National Dialogues have been convened by Indigenous Services Canada, with support of Health Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations.

• These dialogues included National Indigenous Organization representatives, Indigenous health professionals, health systems partners, and provincial/territorial representatives to discuss racism in health systems and commit to strategies to eliminate it.

• In August 2021, the Government of Canada posted its federal response for addressing anti-Indigenous racism in health systems which includes support to patient advocates, health system navigators, and cultural safety training for medical professionals.

• The longer-term approach will be informed by an ongoing national dialogue, the renewal of Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy and the co-development of distinctions-based health legislation.