COTBC Welcomes New Report from Investigation into Indigenous-specific Racism

COTBC welcomes the findings and recommendations from the In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care report.

The College is committed to working with the Ministry of Health and other partners to consider the recommendations and take action that will support changes in the health care system to eliminate Indigenous-specific racism, systemic racism, prejudice, and discrimination.

As health regulators, the College supports a system that provides culturally safe care and ensures that Indigenous people from across the province can access and receive health care services without discrimination.

Along with our regulatory peers at BCHR, the College signed the Declaration of Commitment – Cultural Safety and Humility in the Regulation of Health Professionals in 2017. Since then, we have partnered with the First Nations Health Authority and participated in activities to advance the integration of cultural safety and humility within our organizations.

While we are making progress, there is still more to be done to ensure that Indigenous people consistently receive qualified, safe, and ethical care from health professionals who integrate cultural safety and humility into their practice. We encourage all regulated health professionals to review the summary or full reports.