Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Events across our country, here in BC and around the world have highlighted the uncomfortable truth that racism and discrimination are systemic in our society.

Racist comments and exclusionary actions can not be ignored or tolerated whether directed to Black or Asian individuals, to Indigenous peoples or indeed to any persons of colour. Such actions violate human rights and erode human dignity. We should all be prompted to take a hard look at ourselves, our workplaces and our greater society.

BC Health Regulators (BCHR) are united in declaring that exclusionary or other racist actions and behaviours on the part of regulated health practitioners is unprofessional, harmful to patients, and not acceptable in our society: https://bchealthregulators.ca/supporting-the-movement-to-end-racism-and-discrimination-and-striving-to-do-better/.  Such actions pose risks to public safety and contravene the professional conduct standards to which health professionals are held.

The College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (“CNPBC”) stands with BCHR in supporting every individual’s right to the same access and quality of health care, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or age.

To truly serve and protect the public in BC, the CNPBC is committed to doing its part, as a health profession regulator, to maintaining focus on this important issue and contributing to making change happen.

To this end, the College commits to the collaborative development of initiatives to help achieve these important goals, beginning with the following:

• All Board and staff members will undergo education in equity, diversity, and inclusion before May 2021.

• The board has appointed one of its members, Jocelyn Stanton, to the new position of internal equity, diversity, and inclusion ombudsperson.

We can not remain silent on these issues. Tangible change will be brought about only when we work together to uphold the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and oppose racism, discrimination, and hatred.