Six years after the Viens report highlighted the mistreatment of Indigenous individuals and provided 142 recommendations, an update investigating its execution has revealed that recent financial constraints may hinder the implementation of several action items. Assunta Gallo, the deputy ombudsman overseeing users and special mandates, expressed concerns about the potential setbacks due to budget limitations, which could jeopardize various initiatives.
Quebec ombudsman Marc-André Dowd’s report raised issues with the government’s enforcement of the new cultural safety legislation, citing challenges with language barriers leading to discrimination in public services. Instances were noted where Indigenous youth in Quebec’s rehabilitation centers faced reprimands for speaking their native language, indicating inconsistencies in the application of Quebec’s language law exceptions for Indigenous communities.
Although corrective actions were taken after the ombudsman’s office intervened, additional barriers to healthcare access were identified. One such barrier involved First Nations midwives being restricted from providing support when patients were transferred to hospitals outside their communities. The lack of a comprehensive strategy from the government to ensure the execution of the calls to action was criticized, with a call for closer collaboration with Indigenous leaders to enact legislation aligning with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The report also highlighted hurdles in implementing the cultural safety law within the healthcare system, which was established in December 2024 following the tragic death of Joyce Echaquan. The legislation mandates health institutions to adopt a culturally sensitive approach for Indigenous patients and increase Indigenous representation in the healthcare workforce. Challenges were noted regarding the absence of a detailed action plan and unclear budget allocation for the law’s implementation by Santé Québec.
Recommendations in the report emphasized expanding the cultural safety strategy to encompass other sectors like justice and education. Efforts to hire more Indigenous workers in these areas have been made, but the temporary nature of job postings and job insecurity hinder recruitment and retention. Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière acknowledged the progress made while underscoring the ongoing societal project to address remaining challenges, emphasizing substantial government investments in tailored measures for Indigenous communities.
The Viens commission’s call for the ombudsman to evaluate the progress of the calls to action was reiterated, with the latest report evaluating 129 out of the 142 recommendations under broad themes. A forthcoming report focusing on youth protection-related action items is anticipated.