QUESTION PERIOD — Indigenous Services
Indigenous Health
February 17, 2021
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, recently the government announced it would be introducing distinctions-based Indigenous health care legislation. While this announcement is welcome, many Indigenous people are weary and wary of government promises like this.
Racism is a plague in our health care system and solutions to address it must be developed and led by Indigenous people who are directly affected.
What steps will the government take to ensure proper and meaningful consultation with regard to the development and drafting of this new and important legislation, and how will you ensure the urban Indigenous population is included?
Thank you for your important question, senator.
This government is committed to serious, ongoing consultations with Indigenous communities across the country in the development of distinctions-based health care. The ministers involved are committed, and by their actions they have demonstrated their commitment.
And I also appreciate you underlining the issue of members of the Indigenous community in urban environments. Too often we forget that a large percentage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis live away from their traditional lands and in our cities. The government remains committed to working with Indigenous leaders in all parts of the country and in all respects to make sure that the health needs of the Indigenous communities, wherever they may live, are properly addressed and are developed in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities.
