Sunday, May 24, 2026
    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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    Suspect charged in Cenotaph mischief

    Suspect charged in Cenotaph mischief
    A 42-year-old man has been charged with mischief over an incident at the Cloverdale Cenotaph in Surrey more than five months ago. R-C-M-P say the suspect was arrested on July 18th over an incident in which the cenotaph's statue of a kneeling soldier was dismantled.

    Suspect charged in Cenotaph mischief

    Canadian evacuees tell of chaotic scenes in Maui wildfire 'war zone'

    Canadian evacuees tell of chaotic scenes in Maui wildfire 'war zone'
    Canadians returning from Maui have told of harrowing scenes during their escape from the fire-devastated Hawaiian island. Among the evacuees was British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Matthew Taylor who drove through the ruined town of Lahaina on Thursday and said it resembled a "war zone."

    Canadian evacuees tell of chaotic scenes in Maui wildfire 'war zone'

    BC midwives and Province agree on 3 year wage increasing agreement

    BC midwives and Province agree on 3 year wage increasing agreement
    The new deal includes a series of fee increases and measures that the province says will provide more supports for Indigenous midwifery. A vote among members of the Midwives Association of British Columbia on July 31 garnered 99 per cent support for the agreement, with 89 per cent of eligible association members taking part in the ballot.

    BC midwives and Province agree on 3 year wage increasing agreement

    Harjot Singh Samra wanted Canada wide

    Harjot Singh Samra wanted Canada wide
    Harjot Singh Samra, 27, was to report to his halfway house in Vancouver once he was released from prison yesterday, but failed to do so. Samra is 5’9″, weighs 252 pounds, and has a heavy build. He has brown/black hair with a balding hairline, and brown eyes. 

    Harjot Singh Samra wanted Canada wide

    Collision between fuel truck and train in northern Alberta

    Collision between fuel truck and train in northern Alberta
    Emergency crews are at the scene of a collision between a fuel truck and a train in northern Alberta. RCMP say its officers received a report of the collision on Highway 43, near the junction of Highway 32, in Whitecourt, which is located about 180 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.  

    Collision between fuel truck and train in northern Alberta

    Feds to provide wildfire update

    Feds to provide wildfire update
    Officials have already said Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record, charring more than 130,000 square kilometres to date, which is more than six times the 10-year average. Natural Resources Canada said last week there were more than 650 fires burning across Canada, about two-thirds of them in B.C. 

    Feds to provide wildfire update

    PrevNext