Co-developing distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation (Indigenous health legislation)

In September 2020, the Government of Canada committed to co-develop Indigenous health legislation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, in collaboration with the provinces and territories. In his mandate letter, the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) committed to fully implementing Joyce’s Principle and ensuring that it guides the work of co-developing distinctions-based Indigenous health legislation to support access to high-quality, culturally appropriate health services. 

The main objectives of this process are to facilitate access to high quality, culturally appropriate health services for Indigenous peoples in Canada and to ensure that provincial health services take into consideration the particularities and realities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. ISC publicly launched the engagement process on January 28, 2021. 

National Procress

Regional Consultation 

During the month of June 2022, the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC) will coordinate a virtual regional consultation with First Nations in Quebec. 

Several discussions are planned with various regional stakeholders and working groups (Grand Chiefs, Chiefs and Councillors, Directors General, Health and Social Services Directors, health workers and professionals, ISC – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and Regional Operations, representatives of the Quebec health and social services network [MSSS, CISSS/CIUSSS], traditional healers, First Nations organizations, etc.). Based on the guidance and recommendations obtained during these consultations, and following a regional meeting aimed at validating these findings, the FNQLHSSC will submit a regional report to the federal government on October 31, 2022. This report will help identify key elements to support the analysis and co-development of the legislation. 

Community Consultations 

To identify the essential community-specific elements and issues that need to be considered in the Indigenous health legislation, communities will be invited to conduct their own local consultations in the summer of 2022.  

The communities that will have carried out their own consultations will be able to share their local results by submitting their community report (see proposed template), which will be included in the regional report produced by the FNQLHSSC (deadline: September 16, 2022).  

To assist communities wishing to conduct their own local consultations, an engagement toolkit is available here. 

It includes: 

– Topic sheets and suggested questions to ask. 

– Practical advice on how to make focus groups work. 

– A simplified questionnaire for the local population. 

– A community report template.

For more information or support, please contact Jessie Messier, Acting Health Services Manager, at jessie.messier@cssspnql.com.