Admin
Today, I listened to the video of the last moments of Joyce Echaquan, an aboriginal woman killed by our healthcare system.
Racism kills. We've known for a long time that systemic racism exists not only in our healthcare system, but across Canada. We know that this racism can deprive Aboriginal people of the health care their lives depend on.
What happened is far from an isolated case. I've heard poignant testimonials from people all over Quebec.
While it's important to get to the bottom of Ms. Echaquan's case, we also need to investigate the healthcare system itself. Racist nursing staff must be fired. We need racism training. We need to implement a zero-tolerance policy and develop support and security services for aboriginals, so that they can be safe in hospitals. Every time someone doesn't seek treatment for fear of racism, racism perpetuates and prevails.
Important steps must be taken to remedy a situation that is unacceptable and shameful for us all. Aboriginal people deserve the same care as everyone else.
This sad event shows that, once again, people from aboriginal communities are victims of the system. Indeed, an Aboriginal person is far more likely to lose his or her life at the hands of the Quebec healthcare system.
While not all nursing staff are racist, there is clearly a huge problem. We need to take concrete action now.
The Green Party of Quebec will continue to denounce these injustices and the blatant racism that is all too present in our healthcare system and throughout our public services.
Alex Tyrrell
Leader of the Green Party of Quebec
