On Sept. 18, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) officially apologized for past and ongoing harms to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in the health system.
The apology was given by CMA for its role, as well as the role of the medical profession.
In presenting the apology, CMA president Dr. Joss Reimer spoke of the association’s commitment to being accountable and working together with Indigenous Peoples to do better in the spirit of humility and reciprocity.
“We have not lived up to the ethical standards the medical profession is expected to uphold to ensure the highest standard of care is provided to patients and trust is fostered in physicians, residents and medical students,” said Reimer.
“We realize we have left Indigenous Peoples out of that high standard of care.”
Prior to the pronouncement, CMA conducted a review of more than 150 years of its archives, which it says “revealed the role the CMA, and the medical profession, have played in the mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples, whether through action or inaction.”
Along with the apology, an 11-page document was released that outlines past and ongoing harms, steps taken and action planned towards meaningful reconciliation.
The document acknowledges specific harms done, including the impacts of Indian hospitals, forced medical experimentation, forced sterilization, child apprehensions, systemic racism, neglect and abuse within the health care system.
“The Indian hospital system embedded systemic racism and discrimination in the Canadian health system by fostering racial segregation and conditions where Indigenous patients received substandard and unsafe care,” the document reads.
“Patients were subjected to abuse, experimental treatments and forced and coerced sterilization. Although most Indian hospitals are now closed, the country is still in the process of moving away from the segregated, racist health care model that the Indian hospital system perpetuated to one where Indigenous Peoples have self-determination over their health and health care.”
The documented stated some reports suggest forced sterilization of Indigenous individuals happened as recently as 2019.
“The racism and discrimination that Indigenous patients and health care providers face is deplorable, and we are deeply ashamed,” the document states.
“As the national voice of the medical profession, we are sorry for the actions and inactions of physicians, residents and medical students that have harmed Indigenous Peoples.”
Dr. Alika Lafontaine, CMA’s first Indigenous president, announced the association’s commitment to an apology in June 2023, as an important part of the CMA’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.
“Today, we turn the first page of a new chapter in the CMA’s history,” said Lafontaine.
“It’s a chapter that we hope First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples can write with us together, as we work toward a health system that provides Indigenous Peoples with the right care, at the right time, in the right place, in a good way.”
“With the goal of creating meaningful change in health care and in the relationship between physicians and Indigenous Peoples, the CMA is hoping the apology inspires members of the profession and medical organizations to begin their own reconciliation journeys,” states the document.
CMA also created their ReconciliACTION Plan outlining how it will advance health and well-being for Indigenous Peoples, support the medical profession’s journey toward truth and reconciliation, and promote internal reconciliation as an organization.
“An apology is just the beginning. The CMA is committed to being accountable and working together with Indigenous Peoples to do better in the spirit of humility and reciprocity.”
