News
CFPC Statement Against Racism
2020-06-03
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is heartbroken and disgusted by the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and all other victims of racially motivated violence in the United States as well as in Canada. The pain, destruction, and brutality that racism has caused are unfathomable. As family physicians working in a privileged profession, it’s important to use our voices to condemn racism everywhere it exists.
Further, we know COVID-19 is having a disproportionately large effect on marginalized and vulnerable populations as well as on racialized communities. The pandemic is exposing racism and inequalities that are deeply entrenched in our society, and we must not ignore what is happening now in North America.
The CFPC will continue to address racism in all its forms, including through the creation of guides such as Health and Health Care Implications of Systemic Racism on Indigenous Peoples in Canada. As a member of the Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century, we also support its position statement on racism and health. The CFPC will continue to reflect as an organization on how we can strive to do better.
In the face of these tragic events, we share in this pain together as fellow human beings.
Sincerely,
Shirley Schipper, MD, CCFP, FCFP
President
President
Francine Lemire, MD CM, CCFP, FCFP, CAE, ICD.D
Executive Director and CEO
Executive Director and CEO