10.9°C Vancouver

Oct 16, 2020 10:25 PM -

Provinces need to address racism in the health-care system: Trudeau

Share On

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces must do more to address racism in the health-care system, saying reconciliation with Indigenous people is not up to the federal government alone.

The issue of anti-Indigenous racism in health care gained new attention from outrage over the treatment of Joyce Echaquan, who used her phone to livestream hospital staff using racist slurs against her as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital last month.

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said Thursday the federal government is ready to use its financial leverage over the health system to fight anti-Indigenous racism there.

Trudeau says he is confident there will be significant improvements in how the health-care system treats First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

He says he does not want to leap to any conclusions about what Ottawa might do if that is not the case.

Miller and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett are meeting hundreds of Indigenous leaders, health-care professionals and government officials today to discuss the issue.

Latest news

pedestrian-critically-injured-after-pickup-truck-collision-in-prince-george
BCNov 06, 2026

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.
powerful-storm-brings-heavy-rain-to-b-c-yellow-alerts-issued-for-metro-vancouver
BCNov 06, 2026

Powerful Storm Brings Heavy Rain to B.C., Yellow Alerts Issued for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued yellow-level weather alerts for several parts of Metro Vancouver as a powerful storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to British Columbia’s coastal region. According to the weather agency, up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall in elevated areas of the North Shore and near the southern Howe Sound. Areas in northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, could receive around 50 millimetres of rainfall by the evening. The agency says the rain is expected to gradually ease overnight. However, several more storm systems could move into the region early nex
lorne-doerkson-pleased-with-carney-governments-budget-hopes-b-c-will-receive-major-funding
CanadaNov 06, 2026

Lorne Doerkson Pleased with Carney Government’s Budget, Hopes B.C. Will Receive Major Funding

B.C. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has voiced support for the federal budget presented by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government, calling it encouraging for Canada’s economic future. The budget includes $6.5 billion in funding to support the forestry industry, which has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs. Doerkson expressed hope that British Columbia would receive a significant share of the funding, noting that the forestry sector is a major pillar of the province’s economy. Former B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar also welcomed the funding, describing it as a good start. He said
canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-7-highest-level-in-six-months
CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.7%, Highest Level in Six Months

Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 6.7 per cent in October, reaching its highest level in six months, according to the latest data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. Economists had expected the economy to add 13,600 jobs overall. However, instead of gaining jobs, Canada recorded a net loss of 4,700 positions last month. The decline was primarily driven by the private sector, which shed 53,000 jobs, marking its first major drop since February. Meanwhile, public-sector employment increased by 50,000 positions, while the construction industry added 16,000 jobs, helping offset some of t
AlbertaNov 06, 2026

Alberta Referendum Cost Nearly $84 Million, Elections Alberta Seeks Additional $59 Million

Elections Alberta has estimated the total cost of last month's referendum at nearly $84 million. The agency has requested more than $59 million in additional funding from the provincial government to cover expenses already incurred and upcoming work. Of the requested amount, approximately $49 million is intended to cover costs related to the October referendum, which have already been incurred. The vote set new records for advance voting, special ballots and voter turnout. Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure told a committee that manually counting 10 ballot papers for each voter placed sign

Related News