Close X
    Tuesday, November 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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    Real estate association economist doubts B.C.'s flipping tax is worth the trouble

    Real estate association economist doubts B.C.'s flipping tax is worth the trouble
    Policy watchers are split on the value of British Columbia's upcoming provincial flipping tax targeting those looking to make a quick buck in the real estate market. Brendon Ogmundson, chief economist of the British Columbia Real Estate Association, says the tax could end up reducing the overall number of homes on the market while only applying to a small number of properties.

    Real estate association economist doubts B.C.'s flipping tax is worth the trouble

    Woman who stopped to check on police spike belt damage killed by fleeing truck

    Woman who stopped to check on police spike belt damage killed by fleeing truck
    Officers have found a stolen car used to flee a deadly hit-and-run following a high-speed police chase on the weekend, and they continue to search for a suspect. The Honda Civic was recovered early this morning outside Edmonton.  

    Woman who stopped to check on police spike belt damage killed by fleeing truck

    Unprovoked stabbing in Vancouver

    Unprovoked stabbing in Vancouver
    A 32-year-old man is accused of stabbing another man in a wheelchair in what Vancouver police say was an unprovoked attack. Police say the 34-year-old victim had been outside a shelter in the Downtown Eastside over the weekend when he was stabbed multiple times in the neck, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. 

    Unprovoked stabbing in Vancouver

    B.C. workers on minimum wage will see an increase of 65 cents per hour June 1

    B.C. workers on minimum wage will see an increase of 65 cents per hour June 1
    Minimum-wage workers in British Columbia will get a pay hike of 65 cents an hour to $17.40 starting June 1, a move the government says will help lift more people out of poverty.  The Ministry of Labour says in a statement the 3.9-per-cent increase is consistent with the province's average inflation rate last year.   

    B.C. workers on minimum wage will see an increase of 65 cents per hour June 1

    Child poverty rate rises in B.C.

    Child poverty rate rises in B.C.
    The report makes more than two dozen recommendations, nine of them focused on raising family incomes through paying family-supporting wages or improving income supports. It says B.C.'s child poverty rate of 14.3 per cent was lower than the national average of 15.6 per cent, but the rate on 67 First Nations reserves is about double the national rate, while for single-parent families it's even higher at 40 per cent. 

    Child poverty rate rises in B.C.

    2 stabbed at Guildford Town Centre Mall

    2 stabbed at Guildford Town Centre Mall
    Upon arrival, officers located a 40 year female and a 35 year old male, both suffering from stab wounds. Both individuals were transported to a local area hospital where the female is listed in critical condition, while the male is currently stable.

    2 stabbed at Guildford Town Centre Mall

    PrevNext