Death of Joyce Echaquan: “the worst form of racism”, denounces Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau maintains that a “rapid investigation is essential to determine whether Joyce suffered more than mere racist remarks” and hailed Quebec's decision to “act quickly” in the context of another investigation.
Share September 30, 2020 3:44 p.m. Updated at 6:44 p.m. Share Death of Joyce Echaquan: “the worst form of racism,” denounces Justin Trudeau Catherine Lévesque The Canadian Press OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman, had suffered “the worst form of racism” when she was cursed by nurses on her hospital bed shortly before her death.
The mother died in Joliette hospital on Monday evening in disturbing circumstances.
Before her death, she filmed herself from her stretcher. Towards the end of the approximately seven-minute video, hospital staff can be seen racially abusing Ms. Echaquan. Words that also aroused indignation in Ottawa.
“All Canadians were shocked to see this video of Joyce Echaquan's last moments. Our condolences go out to his family and the people of Manawan in these incredibly difficult times, ”Trudeau said in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
“What happened was the worst form of racism when someone needed help the most. This is one example, another example of systemic racism that is simply unacceptable in Canada, ”he added.
Other reactions
The leader of the Bloc Québécois and his member for Joliette both spoke.
“Ms. Echaquan went to the hospital to get help; she received contempt there. (…) My reaction of disgust is not political. My reaction is indignant at the odious reflection of a mirror on several of us and of which we all bear the shame, ”said Yves-François Blanchet.
“My heart is filled with sadness, but it is overflowing with rage,” responded Gabriel Ste-Marie, who at the same time requested a “real independent investigation with real answers”.
New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh addressed the deceased to express her grief.
“I'm so sorry, Joyce. The last moments of your life shouldn't have ended like this. Systemic racism robs people of their dignity and kills them, ”Singh said.
Two investigations are currently underway: one from the Coroner's Office and another from the CIUSSS de Lanaudière, which has the hospital under its aegis. The CIUSSS also dismissed one of the nurses who admitted to having made racist remarks heard in the video.
