Politics played no role in firing of Joliette nurses accused of racism, health minister says – Montreal Gazette

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There was “no political intervention” involved in the firing this week of two nurses at a Joliette CLSC who were accused of uttering racist and humiliating comments to an Indigenous patient, Quebec health minster Christian Dubé said on Friday.

Dubé, speaking to reporters in Montreal, was replying to claims by the union representing the nurses. The minister said he stands “100 per cent” behind the decision of the local health authority to fire the nurses.

“It was a totally unacceptable situation and I tell you there was no political involvement in the decision,” said Dubé.

Union president  Stéphane Cormier told several media outlets on Friday that the decision to fire the nurses was taken without any proper investigation into the incident and that the health authority was subjected to political pressure to dismiss the nurses.

The nurses had been suspended without pay on Monday after news reports of the incident began to circulate. They were both fired a day later. Cormier said the nurses admitted to the comments but there was no racist intention in them. In fact, said Cormier, the nurses were trying to establish a rapport with the patient, Jocelyne Ottawa, as had been recommended during mandatory training to ensure Indigenous patients felt culturally secure.

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Ottawa, 62, went to the local health clinic to have a bandage changed on her foot. She alleged afterward that two nurses said upon seeing her name: “We’re going to call you Joyce, for short.” They also asked her if she could sing them a song in Atikamekw, she said.

The incident took place in the same city where another Indigenous woman, Joyce Echaquan, died in a hospital last September after she filmed staff making derogatory comments about her. The video was shared around the world.

In late February, members of the Atikamekw community were told they could expect to be better served at Joliette Hospital. The announced changes included the creation of a reconciliation committee and the addition to the health authority’s management of a liaison officer responsible for relations with the Atikamekw community as well as a commissioner to deal with complaints from Indigenous users concerning the quality of services received at the institution. Both posts will be filled by members of the community.

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In Quebec City, where MNAs had voted unanimously to offer an apology to the woman targeted by the remarks, some politicians seemed ill at ease.

Liberal Marwah Rizqy said that “what we heard, the facts alleged, were very serious. So some action was required.”

Québec Solidaire MNA Catherine Dorion said that now, everyone was being presented with “another version” of events.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t there,” she said. “Maybe it wasn’t a misunderstanding, but hey, we don’t know.

Dorion acknowledged that it was necessary to get to the bottom of what happened before more could be said. “We have to go further…and not throw ourselves on the first piece of news that comes out because we know more (news) will come out after.”

Parti Québécois MNA Pascal Bérubé said he had as many questions as there had been answers on the incident.

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“Were there racist words? Yes? In what context? There is no context where it’s acceptable. What should the follow-up be? Firing? The union is in a debate with the employer about that.”

Bérubé added that “every racist word, every racist act must be condemned. It cannot be allowed to pass.”

He also noted that the motion adopted by the National Assembly also dealt with the cultural security of First Nations.

“It can apply now. It is a procedure, particularly in hospitals, which makes it possible for First Nations to feel more comfortable, more respected.”