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systemic racism in the way physicians and others have dealt with Indigenous community members as well as the use of "outdated, racist terms," creating an environment of "unsafe" and segregated health care.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

    Lack of staff forces Saanich hospital to close ER overnight for two months

    Lack of staff forces Saanich hospital to close ER overnight for two months
    Island Health says a lack of staff has forced it to begin overnight closures of the emergency room at a small Victoria-area hospital. A statement from the health authority says closure of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital emergency department begins at 10 p.m. tonight and will end at 7 a.m. Saturday.

    Lack of staff forces Saanich hospital to close ER overnight for two months

    BC Port strike now a week long

    BC Port strike now a week long
    The association says it has learned of the layoffs as well as cargo diversions as the labour dispute drags on, calling on the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to enter a voluntary arbitration process to end the strike.  

    BC Port strike now a week long

    Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data

    Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data
    Justice Jasvinder Basran's ruling says the privacy commissioner must reconsider its findings after notifying Airbnb hosts about the potential release of the information.

    Airbnb wins Vancouver privacy ruling, as court quashes order to release host data

    Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

    Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe
    The service had tapped a special prosecutor in May to give legal advice on the investigation of Gurveen Dhaliwal, who served as a trustee in New Westminster before being named as an adviser to Health Minister Adrian Dix on May 1. The investigation stemmed from Dhaliwal's presence as a scrutineer during the same election last November in which she was running for a second term.

    Ministerial adviser, Gurveen Dhaliwal, won't be charged in election rule violation probe

    Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

    Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10
    Just before the rains kickstart again in September take advantage of the sunshine and go for a jog or 5K & 10K run and lace up. The road race is taking place on September 10th. The virtual race is gonna take place from Sept 8-Sept 10th, 2023. 

    Run Surrey Run 2023 takes place Sept 8-10

    Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

    Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved
    The murdered woman's mother-in-law has told the British Columbia Supreme Court in New Westminster that her son and the victim had been planning to build a life together in Canada, and her death devastated everyone who knew the young woman.

    Mother-in-law of B.C. knife victim says 'monster' robbed son of woman he loved

    PrevNext