Question Period Note: Systemic racism in Health Care

• Canada needs long-term, sustained, multi-leveled actions in order to eliminate racism in Canada’s health care systems.

• In January 2021, the Department convened with governments and organizations to present plans for concrete actions to address racism in the healthcare system.

• This continued engagement with health system partners will inform the co-development of distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation.

• We remain committed to ensuring Indigenous peoples have access to culturally safe and high-quality health services.

Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report

On June 19, 2020, Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond was appointed by British Columbia’s Minister of Health to conduct a review of Indigenous-specific racism in the provincial health care system. The purpose of the investigation focused on alleged incidents of Indigenous-specific racism in emergency departments in B.C. Her report, entitled “In Plain Sight” was released on November 30, 2020.

The report contained twenty-four recommendations to address anti-Indigenous racism in health care in British Columbia. While the recommendations were not directed to the federal government, the report did identify a number of areas where federal actions could be helpful to eliminate all forms of discrimination against Indigenous peoples, including:

• Federal legislation to specifically implement the UN Declaration to bring the federal laws, policies and practices in conformity with the Indigenous human rights, principles and standards in the UN Declaration;
• Federal Indigenous-specific health legislation and other legislative amendments which explicitly make cultural safety a desired outcome or requirement of quality within Canada’s health care system;
• Federal health regulatory standards that address anti-racism, cultural humility and trauma informed practices; and,
• Direct support by national health organizations to identify measures and tools to address antiracism, encourage cultural humility, and promote trauma-informed practices throughout all spheres of authority and work.

In follow up to the recent urgent meeting held in October to address racism experienced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s Health Care system, a second gathering has been scheduled for January 2021. This meeting will provide an opportunity for meeting participants (including the Government of Canada, Indigenous leaders and organizations, and provincial and territorial governments) to identify short term, concrete actions that can be taken to address this systemic issue. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report will be a valuable guide and resource for identifying concrete next steps and actions to be taken by all levels of government.

Indigenous Services Canada is committed to equitable and culturally-safe, community-led, community-driven and distinctions-based approaches to health care. BC’s First Nations Health Authority is the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada. In 2013, the First Nations Health Authority assumed the programs, services, and responsibilities formerly handled by the Government of Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch. Indigenous Services Canada is in regular contact with the First Nations Health Authority, which is the lead on health protection measures and health preparedness measures for First Nations communities in BC.

If pressed on Budget 2021

• In Budget 2021, we have committed to investing $126.7 million over three years, beginning in 2021-22, to take action to foster health systems free from racism and discrimination where Indigenous Peoples are respected and safe.

• This funding will support patient advocates, health system navigators, and cultural safety training for medical professionals.

If pressed on January 2021 meeting

• We convened a meeting of governments and organizations in January to present plans for concrete actions to eliminate anti-Indigenous racism in health care systems.

• Our Government has confirmed its intention to convene a third national dialogue in spring 2021 to continue pursuing collective actions to increase Indigenous representation in post-secondary medical education, cultural competency training, traditional approaches to health, and safe patient navigation.

• The Government is collaboratively engaging with Indigenous organizations and leaders, provincial and territorial governments, and health system partners to identify actions to address anti-Indigenous racism.

If pressed on October 2020 Meeting

• The government pledged to address systemic racism, and committed to do so in a way that is informed by the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples and racialized communities.

• The October 2020 meeting was a chance to learn from the lived experiences of Indigenous patients and healthcare providers of the systemic racism that they have encountered in the healthcare system.

• The Government will continue to work collaboratively and engage with Indigenous organizations and leaders, provincial and territorial governments, and health system partners to identify concrete actions for addressing anti-Indigenous racism.

If pressed on Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report “In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care”

• The Government of Canada remains committed to working with provincial and territorial governments, professional colleges, and Indigenous partners to increase safety and respect in Canada’s health care system.