Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Legault to apologize to Joyce Echaquan's family

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Oct, 2020 06:33 PM
  • Legault to apologize to Joyce Echaquan's family

Quebec Premier Francois Legault says he will present an official apology today to the family of an Indigenous woman who filmed staff insulting her as she lay dying in a hospital northeast of Montreal last week.

The apology on behalf of the Quebec government comes on the same day as a private funeral is scheduled for Joyce Echaquan in the Atikamekw community of Manawan, about 250 kilometres north of Montreal.

Legault said on Twitter that Quebec's public service failed in its duty to care for Echaquan, who died in what he described as horrible circumstances.

The mother of seven died in a hospital in Joliette, soon after she filmed herself in distress and pleading for help in a video that also captured hospital staff making degrading comments about her.

Legault met with the grand chief of the Atikamekw Nation on Monday, where he promised better training throughout the hospital network as well as a public awareness campaign on the importance of fighting racism.

But while his government has taken action that includes opening a public inquiry into Echaquan’s death, the premier has consistently maintained that systemic racism doesn't exist in Quebec.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the new move today after ordering an investigation last week.

Canada suspends Turkish arms exports

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt
The Independent Investigations Office says the same woman had jumped in front of a vehicle in the area shortly before, but was not hurt.

Police response probed after B.C. woman hurt

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'
Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the Liberals, if elected on Oct. 24, will dump the NDP's long-delayed eight-lane tunnel proposal and start immediate on construction of the 10-lane bridge to replace the current tunnel.

Liberals promise to fix Massey Tunnel 'bottleneck'

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19
The program will subsidize farms' purchases of personal protective equipment and sanitary stations and it will help to cover extra costs in cases of any COVID-19 outbreaks.

New program to protect farm workers from COVID-19

Technology expert testifies at Fredericton trial

Technology expert testifies at Fredericton trial
Raymond, 50, is accused in the August 2018 shooting deaths of Donnie Robichaud, Bobbie Lee Wright and police constables Robb Costello and Sara Burns.

Technology expert testifies at Fredericton trial

Masks to be mandatory in Quebec high school

Masks to be mandatory in Quebec high school
The new rule enters into effect Thursday and will remain until at least Oct. 28 in high-alert regions such as Montreal and Quebec City, Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge said.

Masks to be mandatory in Quebec high school