Two Apologies

On September 18, 2024, the Canadian Medical Association President Dr. Joss Reimer apologized for the role of the medical profession, in past and ongoing harms to First Nation, Metis and Inuit people.  Dr. Reimer said,

‘We have not lived up to the ethical standards the medical profession is expected to uphold to ensure the highest standard of care is provided to patients and trust is fostered in physicians, residents and medical students. We realize we have left Indigenous Peoples out of that high standard of care.’

Almost 8 years earlier, I said to the Board of Directors in the matters of WAHA MAC v Waddell:

“I lay witness to so much preventable suffering and death. I saw the blood, I heard the cries, I touched the broken bones, I smelled the death and I bitterly tasted the suffering and the sorrow that's in your communities. I acquired great wisdom and knowledge, and I knew that WAHA physicians could do better to serve our patients' healthcare needs.”

  Dr. Reimer went onto say,

"We acknowledge there are ripple effects on future generations. We take ownership of the CMA's history, and we are committed to righting our wrongs and rebuilding our relationship on a foundation of trust, accountability and reciprocity."

Again almost 8 years earlier, I said in his Sworn Testimony,

I know my ancestors took your land; they silenced your voice; they oppressed your culture; they seized your children, robbing many of them of their innocence. In this wake, they left you and many in abject poverty, massive unemployment, deplorable living conditions, endemic malnutrition, alarming suicide rates, tremendous burdens of chronic physical and mental health illnesses that steals the quality of life…………. I knew it was my family's time to start to give back through my service as your doctor. I know it is a humble offer. I know it does not right all the wrongs, but it is all I had to give, and I did it with all my might, all my heart, and all of my skills.

Is there much of a difference between what I said versus Dr. Reimer’s words? I will leave it to the Muskegowuk people to decide.

John

The full apology from the CMA is found below.