Indigenous community questions sincerity of Legault’s comments on racism in Joliette hospital
Posted September 21, 2022 4:43 pm.
Last Updated September 21, 2022 7:33 pm.
Incumbent Quebec Premier François Legault may have apologized for saying, during Tuesday’s first French debate, that racism at a hospital in Joliette has been resolved, but some Indigenous community members aren’t buying it.
The hospital is where 37-year-old Atikamekw mother Joyce Echaquan died in September 2020 after livestreaming nurses making disparaging remarks at her.
Legault told reporters he never meant to offend anyone.
“For Legault to sort of pretend that everything is fine is a real insult, like really condescending, really disturbing,” said Nakuset, the executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter.
“He’s showing the truth, he was showing his real belief that all is well and really just sort of putting his head in the sand.”
Legault still denies systemic racism exists in Quebec, but says there’s a racism problem that the government will continue to tackle.
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“It happens all the time,” said Nakuset. “And when you have a premier that allows it to happen, that pretends it doesn’t exist, that reinstates that nurse that did the disgusting behaviour, it is a message that we don’t really care about you.
“I hear from the Atikamekw community that they’re still afraid to go to the hospital. That’s really bad when you have to choose. I need lifesaving surgery, but I’m afraid I’m going to die just trying to get that treatment. That’s where we are. And for Legault to say that it’s resolved is irresponsible and not the message of a leader you need.”
Legault said training was put in place at the Quebec hospital, but some say it isn’t enough.
“People don’t feel safe to go to the hospitals,” added Nakuset. “The training’s unless. You give them an exam, you don’t know if they’re actually retaining the information.”
The Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal implemented a rule to always have someone ready to film, just in case.
“Well, now when you make that 9-1-1 call, someone is going to be assigned to record it, because if you don’t record, it doesn’t happen. But it happens every day. It’s only because Joyce reported it that we saw it. Had Joyce not recorded, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Nakuset said.
Patrick Martin-Menard, the lawyer representing Echaquan’s husband Carol Dube, told CityNews the family is refraining from commenting following Legault’s apology.
