Question Period Note: Urgent Meeting on Racism Experienced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s Health Care Systems

• Canadians are rightfully outraged by the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan. But Joyce is not alone; she recorded something that many Indigenous people experience all across the country.

• We must address racism against Indigenous peoples within Canada’s healthcare systems. This is a responsibility that must be recognized among all levels of government, healthcare organizations and providers.

• Last week, we convened the first of many meetings, to bring together those within health systems that must be part of the change.

• The meeting was organized in direct response to the experience and death of Joyce Echaquan. On September 28, 2020, Joyce Echaquan, a 37 year old mother of seven children from the Atikamekw Nation of Manawan, a community 250 kms north of Montreal, died at the Joliette Hospital after suffering degrading insults from two hospital staff. Before her death, Ms. Echaquan captured this terrible interaction on her cell phone and posted a video on Facebook.
• The Quebec Coroner’s office confirmed on September 29 that they would be investigating the circumstances of Echaquan's death. The hearings are expected to begin in 2021. The local health authority, Centre Intégré de Santé et de Servivces Sociaux (CISS) de Lanaudière, also has launched its own investigation.
• ISC has begun work to address anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare. Over the past 3 years, new investments in culturally responsive health supports include:
– The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program hired navigators that directly assist clients in accessing benefits and services;
– Through Jordan’s Principle, Canada has invested $40 million to hire service coordinators to assist clients who are facing challenges in accessing services; and,
– Budget 2017 invested $205 million to support culturally specific healing practices, including traditional Indigenous healers.
• In February 2019, ISC created the Advisory Committee on Indigenous Women’s Health and Wellbeing, providing an avenue for gender-based discussions on cultural safety and the specific experiences of Indigenous women.
• In January 2020, the Department worked with the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health to facilitate a Forum on Informed Choice and Consent in Indigenous Women’s Health.
• Funding was provided to the First Nations Health Authority to develop a Cultural Safety and Humility standard to support health care organizations to identify gaps and challenges in their current system, which will go out for Public Review in Fall 2020. This assessment could be integrated into accreditation programs.
• The Department has also recently contributed to the Canadian Quality and Patient Safety Framework for Health and Social Services with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Health Standards Organization to ensure cultural safety.

If pressed on next steps

• We are committed to working with partners and health stakeholders to develop an action plan to address anti-Indigenous racism in Canada’s healthcare systems.

• We heard loud and clear at the Urgent Meeting that regulatory colleges, medical training institutions, and those responsible for the oversight of healthcare providers must be front and centre in these discussions.

• This meeting was the first step, but the lived experiences of Indigenous people must lead us in this work. These voices are central to change.
If pressed on work to date
• We have committed to addressing this issue. Over the past three years, new investments have been made to improve Indigenous patients’ access to culturally responsive health care, including funding for navigators in NIHB, supports through Jordan’s Principle, and funding to support culturally specific healing practices.

• ISC has also provided funding to develop a Cultural Safety and Humility standard, and supported a Forum in January 2020 on informed choice and consent in Indigenous women’s sexual and reproductive healthcare.