(Quebec) Facing many criticisms, Ian Lafrenière opens the door to the recognition of systemic discrimination against First Nations. The minister claims to be in “reflection” since the heated consultations on the bill aimed at introducing cultural security in health.
The minister responsible for First Nations and Inuit took this step on the sidelines of commemorations of the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan. On September 28, 2020, the Atikamekw of Manawan died under a shower of racist insults from the nursing staff at the Joliette Hospital. The National Assembly paid tribute to him on Thursday.
“I still ask myself questions, I’m very honest with you. I still ask myself questions, I heard the groups. So we are in a moment of reflection,” explained Minister Lafrenière, when asked directly about the possibility of recognizing the existence of systemic discrimination against First Nations in health services.
He then spoke of “general reflections” following specific consultations on Bill 32, which aims to establish cultural security in the health and social services network. Called to clarify his thoughts again, Mr. Lafrenière affirmed that he was “reflecting on everything that was said” during parliamentary proceedings in September, which includes the debate on systemic discrimination.
I am reflecting on everything that has been said and I want to be very transparent. I heard from people for two days. I did not return to the Blue Room with the bill [parce que] I took a step back. I’m analyzing all of this.
Ian Lafrenière, Minister responsible for First Nations and Inuit
However, groups like the College of Physicians and the Office of the Joyce Principle (which slammed the door of the parliamentary commission) have asked Quebec to recognize the existence of systemic racism. Others, such as the Québec Ombudsman and the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), recommend that it adopt the Joyce Principle, which recognizes systemic racism.
Invited to a parliamentary committee, former judge Jacques Viens, who chaired the Commission of Inquiry into Relations between Indigenous Peoples and Certain Public Services in Quebec, also indicated to Mr. Lafrenière that his efforts will be constantly undermined. he does not recognize “the basis of the problem”. Mr. Viens concluded in 2019 that Indigenous people are victims of systemic discrimination in Quebec public services.
“I have heard several versions, people talking about systemic discrimination, others about systemic racism. I tell you that currently, our position remains the same. But I heard the people clearly and that’s why we are considering the entire bill,” Mr. Lafrenière expressed on Thursday.
This is not the first time that the Legault government has considered recognizing systemic discrimination against First Nations. Shortly after the death of Mme Echaquan while the government was under pressure, in October 2020, The Press revealed that there was some openness within the government to move forward with such recognition, “building on the Viens report.
The notion of systemic racism, for its part, is still rejected by the government. As proof, during speeches in memory of Joyce Echaquan on Thursday, Liberal MP for Acadia André A. Morin urged the government to “recognize the problem at its source, that of systemic racism.” The CAQ deputies then refrained from applauding after his speech, as they had just done for the solidarity leader, Manon Massé.
Tribute to Joyce Echaquan
Each political party took the floor to commemorate the memory of Mme Echaquan Thursday, at the Salon bleu. The co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire, Manon Massé, tabled a motion – adopted unanimously – for the National Assembly to “recognize that First Nations and Inuit people have the right to have equitable access, without no discrimination, to all social and health services, as well as the right to enjoy the highest possible state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.”
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Vigil in memory of Joyce Echaquan at Place Émilie-Gamelin
“It has been three years today, on September 28, that Quebec lost a courageous woman, a woman who tried by all means, until her last breath, to remind us that we can act to change the things. And I would say above all that we must act to change things,” underlined Mr.me Mass. “A lot of water has flowed under the bridge over the past three years, but despite everything, there is still a lot to do. »
Minister Lafrenière spoke of a “day that is full of meaning”.
“It’s a day of remembrance, a day to remember Joyce. My first words are for Joyce’s loved ones, for her partner Carol, for the children, for the great community of Manawan. All of Quebec is with them. Three years ago, it was an electric shock. That woke a lot of people up to this reality. There are things that have been changed. There has been a long way to go, but it’s definitely not finished. It’s not perfect, it’s not finished,” he said upon his arrival at Parliament.