Racism is a health crisis

If our government, and all Canadians, are serious about tackling racism at home, it is time we start treating this oppression like the health crisis it is.

Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, pictured on the Hill. Black Canadians are marginalized through lack of access to health care and the stress experienced from systemic racism which creates long-term health issues, writes Sen. Wanda Thomas Bernard. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY SENATOR WANDA THOMAS BERNARD

February 5, 2018

Lionel Desmond was a black veteran of the war in Afghanistan struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. In January of last year, after being unable to access the care he desperately needed, he killed his wife, daughter and mother before turning the gun on himself. We do not know to what extent...

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