Thursday, May 28, 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up systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    U.S. hiker dies after falling from popular B.C. hiking trail near Whistler

    U.S. hiker dies after falling from popular B.C. hiking trail near Whistler
    Sea to Sky officers as well as RCMP Air Services, BC Ambulance paramedics and Whistler Search and Rescue responded to a report that a woman had fallen off the Black Tusk chimney portion of Garibaldi Provincial Park on Monday and was seriously injured.  

    U.S. hiker dies after falling from popular B.C. hiking trail near Whistler

    B.C. port strike could end pending approval of terms set by federal mediator

    B.C. port strike could end pending approval of terms set by federal mediator
    Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan has given a federal mediator 24 hours to send him recommendations to end the dispute between the BC Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada. O'Regan will forward the recommendations to the two sides and says they'll have a further 24 hours to decide whether to ratify them.  

    B.C. port strike could end pending approval of terms set by federal mediator

    BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent

    BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent
    The central bank says it raised the rate because of elevated demand in the economy and strong underlying inflation pressures. It is now suggesting it will take longer -- until the middle of 2025 -- to get inflation back to the two per cent target.   

    BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent

    3D printed guns on the rise

    3D printed guns on the rise
    The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says that although a fully functional firearm cannot be printed, conversion kits that complete 3-D guns can be bought in stores or online. It says anyone with a 3-D printer for their kids or for schools should be aware of the risks.

    3D printed guns on the rise

    As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies

    As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies
    About 7,400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada in Vancouver have been on strike since July 1. They say they're fighting for protections against contracting out work and automation, as well as pushing for higher wages. The strike, now in its second week, is starting to hit business operations in Canada.

    As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies

    Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires

    Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires
    Wildfire crews and local governments are keeping a close watch on drought-stricken woodlands across B-C, as more lightning is forecast in many areas. The wildfire service says 318 active fires are currently burning -- most of them in the Northwest and Prince George fire districts where thousands of lightning strikes hit during a recent storm.

    Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires

    PrevNext