OFL Open Letter: Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis

The Ontario Federation of Labour has sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Christine Elliot, calling on them to declare racism a public health crisis.

The letter reads, in part: “We ask that the government of Ontario commit to addressing the social determinants of health by supporting culturally relevant policies and programs that address the inequities that marginalized groups continue to face, with a focus on Black and Indigenous communities and residents. We ask that the Minister of Health, through the 2021 Budget process and COVID-19 recovery planning, make recommendations to the Ministry of Health on reprioritizing Provincial resources to address the social determinants of health, focusing on racism facing Black and Indigenous Peoples.”

Read the full letter.