Independent investigation into Indigenous-specific racism in British Columbia's health care system launched
VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to yesterday's announcement by independent investigator, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, on the launch of an investigation into Indigenous-specific racism in British Columbia's health care system, Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party interim leader and MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands has issued the following statement:
“Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has assembled a team to investigate racism in B.C's health care system including specific allegations of racist behaviour in emergency rooms. A new survey will ask all Indigenous people in the province to confidentially provide information about experiences while accessing the health services.
Committee to review the Police Act formally struck today
VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to the provincial government formally striking the all-party committee to review the Police Act and engage with experts and communities, B.C. Green Party interim leader Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich-North and the Islands released the following statement:
“The B.C. Green Caucus welcomes the creation of a special committee to review the Police Act. We look forward to participating in a process that is informed by broad consultation with experts in community policing and community advocates who have done years of invaluable work to raise awareness of structural racism in policing.
B.C. Green Caucus looks at scale and scope of new Youth Community Partnership program
VICTORIA, B.C. – Today’s announcement of the Youth Community Partnership program falls short of creating the jobs needed for British Columbia’s COVID-19 recovery and is only an incremental step in the right direction by the provincial government.
B.C. Green Caucus calls for better transparency and accountability around care home contract spending in the province
VICTORIA, B.C. - Today the B.C. Green Caucus is seeking additional actions from government to strengthen the accountability and transparency of the long-term care home sector in British Columbia.
MLA Olsen addresses systemic racism in British Columbia’s health care system
VICTORIA, B.C. – In response to the news of racist acts occurring in British Columbia emergency rooms, MLA Adam Olsen, interim leader of the B.C. Green Party and member of the Tsartlip First Nation, issued the following statement:
“I am well aware of the racism that exists in our healthcare system and I know it’s pervasive. It is devastating to hear about such blatant acts of racism, not just because the incidents themselves are abhorrent, but because it speaks to a work environment in which they were not only tolerated, but trivialized. Let’s be clear: nothing about this is a ‘game’ and I am deeply saddened to hear it referred to as such.