Working to eliminate racism in the health care system in Canada.
Federal Ministers met with Indigenous leaders on the issue including Health Minister Patty Hajdu who says she has been aware of the problem for years.
She pointed to her experience in Thunder Bay as the head of the city’s Drug Strategy.
“Early in my career I interviewed people about substance use issues…and the health care system came up repeatedly as a place where Indigenous people faced extreme personal violence,” explained Hajdu.
She added, “And then I ran a homeless shelter where I saw extreme unkindness by systems and people who were paid to deliver to anyone who needed it.”
Hajdu notes all the stories of racism in the health care field are “sadly not shocking” to her.
Following the meeting, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler stated a firm commitment to action is needed if racism in the health care system is to be eliminated.
