VICTORIA – The Ministry of Health has released a progress report on government’s steps to address Indigenous-specific racism in B.C.’s health-care system, as recommended in the In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care report.

Government is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people. Eradicating Indigenous-specific racism in British Columbia remains a top priority.

“To mark the second anniversary of the In Plain Sight report, we are releasing a snapshot of progress made on the recommendations in the first year after the release of the report,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in this short time, but recognize much more needs to be done. I look forward to continuing this work with Indigenous leaders, health-system partners and health authorities throughout B.C.”

The progress report is the first of its kind and has been informed by the collective work of many organizations throughout the province, including health authorities, colleges and regulatory bodies, the Métis Nation BC, the First Nations Health Authority, and internal ministry partners. It highlights progress made on recommendations contained in the In Plain Sight report and will serve as a road map for future government activity, since it highlights both where progress has been made and where further efforts are needed.

Dix said: “While B.C. has made important progress, there is much more work to do to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, foster cultural humility and create cultural safety to support improved health outcomes for all Indigenous people in B.C. The Province remains absolutely committed to implementing all 24 recommendations of In Plain Sight, and we will continue to work together with Indigenous Peoples, all orders of government, health-system partners, individuals, service providers, regulatory bodies and health-system leadership to make this commitment a reality.”

Learn More:
To read the In Plain Sight progress report, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/aboriginal-health/reports-publications

To learn about the In Plain Sight Report, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0330-001976

To learn about the In Plain Sight Task Team, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0059-001870

A backgrounder follows.

As noted in the progress report, some significant developments have occurred across government related to specific recommendations made in the In Plain Sight report between May 2021 and May 2022:

• Changes have been made to the Human Rights Code of B.C. to include Indigenous identity as a protected ground for individuals from discrimination: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AG0073-002191
• Changes to the Public Interest Disclosure Act now includes more public-sector employees, and these changes are being phased in with health authority employees coming under the act in June 2023: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AG0114-001443
• Changes made to the Interpretation Amendment Act further support alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and ensure that the interpretation of acts within B.C. must be consistent with UNDRIP and that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are not diminished through other provincial acts: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021AG0073-002191
• A new Anti-Racism Data Act was introduced as a step to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous, Black and people of colour. Data collected under the act will help identify gaps in programs and services, and allow government to better meet the needs of Indigenous, Black and racialized British Columbians. The act is the first of its kind in Canada to be co-developed with Indigenous Peoples: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PREM0027-000673
• In alignment with Recommendation 8, the final stages of the development of the First Nations Health Authority and Health Standards Organization (FNHA-HSO) BC Cultural Safety and Humility Standard are complete.
• Conversations are taking place regarding the improvement of Indigenous feedback and quality care systems through the In Plain Sight Task Team.
• Many of the large capital projects in B.C., including new hospitals, are planning and designing safe spaces to support cultural practices and protocols, while strengthening their collaboration and relationships with local Indigenous communities and leaders (Recommendation 10).