On September 13, 2023, the Québec Ombudsman sent a letter to the Committee on Institutions commenting on Bill 32 – Act to establish the cultural safety approach within the health and social services network. One of the aims of the Bill is to provide responses to some of the Viens Commission’s calls for action, which the Québec Ombudsman is monitoring.
The Québec Ombudsman endorses any effort to improve relations with First Nations and Inuit. The Bill is in line with this and the Québec Ombudsman welcomes it.
However, the letter urges the authorities to systematically use a co-construction approach with First Nations and Inuit representatives in drafting legislation likely to affect them. The Bill does not do this.
The Québec Ombudsman made five recommendations to be implemented in close collaboration with First Nations and Inuit organizations. They are aimed at:
- Clearly defining the concept of cultural safety in the health and social services network;
- Making Joyce’s Principle the centrepiece of the Bill;
- Ensuring that cultural safety indicators, standards, assessment methods and data sharing are co-produced with First Nations and Inuit organizations.
The Québec Ombudsman’s letter concerning Bill 32 (PDF, 189 KiB, in French only)
