Close X
    Thursday, September 19, 2024
    ADVT 
    National

    Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2024 04:11 PM
    • Canada's physicians formally apologize for harm to Indigenous communities

    The group representing Canada's physicians has formally apologized for the harm medical professionals caused to Indigenous Peoples, saying it is "deeply ashamed" and "owning its history" of racism, neglect and abuse.

    At an apology ceremony in Victoria attended by representatives from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the Canadian Medical Association says it is sorry that it has lost the trust of Indigenous communities and has committed to righting its wrongs.

    The association says its research has found a history of harm caused by the Canadian medical profession, including "Indian hospitals, forced medical experimentation, forced sterilization and child apprehensions."

    The group also says research has turned up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.

    The association says both actions and inactions by Canadian physicians created deep mistrust by the Indigenous community towards health care systems, leading to further harm to members.

    Dr. Alika Lafontaine, the organization's first Indigenous president in its 157-year history, says in a video message ahead of the apology that "recognizing truth is essential to support healing, improve Indigenous health and reconcile the ties between health professionals and Indigenous patients."

    The group also says it is committed to tracking physicians' progress in addressing the harms caused, which includes providing regular updates about the association's Indigenous health initiatives.

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Man hiking near Fairy Creek, B.C., wrongfully arrested by Mounties, review finds

    Man hiking near Fairy Creek, B.C., wrongfully arrested by Mounties, review finds
    The commission released a review of a complaint made by a man who had been hiking a forest service road with a group in September 2021 on Vancouver Island near Fairy Creek, where logging activity ignited protests against forestry firm Teal Cedar Products.  

    Man hiking near Fairy Creek, B.C., wrongfully arrested by Mounties, review finds

    'Concerning' number of impaired drivers arrested in roads in Saanich, B.C.: police

    'Concerning' number of impaired drivers arrested in roads in Saanich, B.C.: police
    Police on southern Vancouver Island say they’ve arrested almost as many impaired drivers in the first eight months of this year than they did in 2023 in a concerning trend of people getting behind the wheel while drunk or on drugs. Statistics released by Saanich police show that officers stopped 464 impaired drivers up until the end of August compared with 468 arrests for the same problem in all 12 months of last year.

    'Concerning' number of impaired drivers arrested in roads in Saanich, B.C.: police

    Taxi driver suspected in fatal B.C. hit-and-run has left Canada: RCMP

    Taxi driver suspected in fatal B.C. hit-and-run has left Canada: RCMP
    Mounties in Terrace say they have identified the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run crash over the weekend as a driver for a local taxi company who has since left the country. Police say they were called to an intersection in the central B.C. city early Sunday where they found a man on the road with injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. 

    Taxi driver suspected in fatal B.C. hit-and-run has left Canada: RCMP

    B.C. family doctors call for sick days, pensions ahead of October election

    B.C. family doctors call for sick days, pensions ahead of October election
    Organizations representing family doctors in British Columbia say physicians need paid sick days, vacation coverage, extended health and dental benefits and a pension plan. The BC College of Family Physicians and BC Family Doctors published a series of requests for whoever forms the next government after this October's provincial election.

    B.C. family doctors call for sick days, pensions ahead of October election

    PM, senior security officials slated to return to foreign interference inquiry

    PM, senior security officials slated to return to foreign interference inquiry
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his inner circle are slated to return to a federal inquiry into foreign interference in coming weeks. A newly published provisional witness list for the next phase of the inquiry's public work indicates senior government bureaucrats and members of national security agencies will also testify.

    PM, senior security officials slated to return to foreign interference inquiry

    Top adviser says Singh not anxious to launch election, Conservatives issue challenge

    Top adviser says Singh not anxious to launch election, Conservatives issue challenge
    Jagmeet Singh's top adviser says the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election, even as the Conservatives challenge him to do just that. Anne McGrath, Singh's principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.

    Top adviser says Singh not anxious to launch election, Conservatives issue challenge

    PrevNext