Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the priorities for the 19th Legislative Assembly is to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This declaration establishes a framework of standards for survival, dignity, and the well-being of Indigenous people around the world. In the colonial state of Canada, systems were put in place during the formation of the country that mainly benefit the European or white settler. When a process or organization has racism embedded in its very structure, this is known as systemic or institutional racism. Systemic racism is often found in large institutional settings such as schools, healthcare, and the judicial and policing systems. It is different than individual acts of racism. Systemic racism puts Black, Indigenous, and people of colour at a disadvantage before they even start by rigging the system against them.
People of colour are underrepresented in the public service in Canada, and according to Statistics Canada, 23.9 percent of Black Canadians fall below the poverty line and are considered low-income. This is twice the rate when compared to white Canadians, at 12.2 percent. Indigenous people have a higher rate of incarceration in Canada, representing around 26 percent of inmates in correctional facilities, but only 3 percent of Canada's total population.
Systemic racism in our healthcare system creates a dangerous situation for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour when trying to receive treatment or care. It is well documented that health outcomes differ for non-white populations. A tragic situation highlighted lately by the numerous cases in the media of people dying due to being turned away by the system or from having their illness overlooked based on their race. In October, nothing spoke more to the horror of that racism than the video recorded by Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Indigenous mother of seven in Quebec. Joyce's last moments on earth were spent listening to the nurses who were charged with her care, who had sworn an oath to help her, disparage her with racist comments about her worth and intelligence.
It is crucial that the GNWT adopt a culture of continuously reviewing and analyzing its policies and practices for racial bias, in all departments. This is not just an issue that can be dealt with by human resources or the Affirmative Action Policy alone. It must be a whole-of-government approach with education at its core. The GNWT needs to update its hiring policies to include tangible targets and realistic action plans that will lead to actual change and not just lip service. Accountability must be part of this policy, or we will never see a GNWT that is reflective of the people it serves. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.