BCCFP Commits to Advancing Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 19 and 23

The BCCFP Indigenous Health Committee brought forward a recommendation to advance two of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action: Call 19 and Call 23 and our Board of Directors has since formally affirmed this commitment.

Call 19 calls upon the federal government, in consultation with Indigenous peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and to publish annual progress reports tracking indicators such as infant mortality, maternal health, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, and the availability of appropriate health services.

Call 23 calls upon all levels of government to increase the number of Indigenous professionals working in health care, and to ensure the retention of Indigenous health care providers in Indigenous communities.

We thank the Indigenous Health Committee for bringing this work forward, and the Board of Directors for formally affirming this commitment. We will share updates on this work as it progresses and encourage other organizations across the health sector to consider how they can advance the TRC's Calls to Action.