Wendake, December 5, 2024 — As part of Bill 32, An Act to introduce the cultural safety approach within the health and social services network, First Nations organizations and governments believe that the bill will not fully guarantee the cultural safety of First Nations users within the health and social services network, despite all the solutions provided to the government to adequately address this issue.
It is with disappointment that the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), the Atikamekw Council of Manawan, Quebec Native Women (QNW), Joyce’s Principle Office (BdPdj) and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) note once again the lack of real and concrete involvement of First Nations. Furthermore, it is deplorable that the government did not choose to do things differently: free, prior, and informed consent was not respected in the context of Bill 32. Despite their good-faith participation in the process, the measures taken by the government in this bill fall far short of the objectives, particularly due to the failure to fully integrate the Joyce Principle into the final wording of the bill.
“Consultation with First Nations is a right, and current legislative processes have been lacking for too long. Safety is an inherent and intrinsic right. The Quebec government cannot legislate about us without us. The need to immediately undertake an in-depth reflection with the aim of agreeing on a consultation process specific to First Nations has become a necessity, even an imperative. I want to assure First Nations members that we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of everyone,” said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL.
“First Nations and Inuit peoples are best positioned to define their health and social service needs. It is imperative that the Quebec government recognize, support, and implement solutions developed by our governments, particularly those of primary importance defined in Joyce’s Principle, in order to ensure care that is safe and respectful of our cultural identity,” added Sipi Flamand, Chief of the Atikamekw Council of Manawan.
Marjolaine Étienne, president of FAQ, also responded: “It is regrettable that First Nations women and girls are particularly affected by a bill that is insufficiently culturally sensitive. We have rights that governments are required to respect, particularly with regard to health and culture, as stipulated in General Recommendation No. 39 of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. A genuine co-construction process from the outset would have made it possible to incorporate concrete recommendations into Bill 32.”
“We cannot work on an equal footing, nor nation to nation, in the current context. Certainly, our voices came together following Joyce’s death, but since then, we have been unable to agree on how to collaborate to ensure real safety for Indigenous peoples. It is undeniable that we will continue our work on our own to ensure equitable access to health care and to find concrete ways to address the situation in collaboration with Indigenous nations and innovative organizations,” said Jennifer Petiquay-Dufresne, Executive Director of the Joyce Principle Office.
“It is clear that the fundamental principle of co-construction remains abstract for the Quebec government. First Nations will continue their efforts to develop concrete actions, while promoting their own definition of cultural safety to their partners and the public,” added Dereck Montour, president of the FNQLHSSC. Finally, all are urging the Quebec government to respect the rights of First Nations and to assume the accountability it must demonstrate. First Nations are reminding the Legault government to do better “together,” as the safety of their populations is at stake.
About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization that brings together 43 First Nations chiefs in Quebec and Labrador.
About the Atikamekw Council of Manawan The Atikamekw Council of Manawan (ACM) is a local government working in the interests of all members of the Atikamekw community of Manawan, ensuring their personal development and identity, promoting their well-being in a healthy environment that reflects our Atikamekw Nehirowisiw culture and values.
About Quebec Native Women Quebec Native Women is a non-profit organization that has been representing First Nations women in Quebec and Indigenous women living in urban areas for 50 years.
About the Joyce Principle Office The Joyce Principle Office, created following the tragic death of Ms. Joyce Echaquan in September 2020 at Joliette Hospital, aims to have the Joyce Principle adopted by various authorities, including the Quebec government.
About the FNQLHSSC The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission is a non-profit organization that supports First Nations in Quebec in achieving their goals in terms of health, wellness, culture, and self-determination.