Nearly four years after the release of Quebec’s Viens report, which shed light on the mistreatment of Indigenous people, it has been revealed that less than a third of the recommended actions have been implemented or are making progress. The report, published by Quebec’s ombudsman, Marc-André Dowd, marks the first update on the status of the calls for action outlined in the commission’s findings.
Retired Superior Court justice Jacques Viens, who authored the report, stated that systemic discrimination against First Nations and Inuit individuals within the public service was impossible to deny. Of the 142 calls for action mentioned in the report, only a few have been fully implemented or are showing progress. This lack of results can be attributed to factors such as the absence of an overall strategy by the Quebec government, fragmented initiatives, and insufficient planning.
During a recent news conference, Dowd emphasized the need for global leadership and coordination to bring about systemic change and effective solutions. He specifically highlighted the need for improvements in youth protection services, as Indigenous youth remain overrepresented in such systems. Out of the 30 recommendations related to youth protection services, only four have been fully implemented or are making progress.
While some measures and investments have been undertaken by government and public institutions, such as the construction of residences for Indigenous students, Dowd expressed hope that the next report will provide evidence of complete implementation. However, he acknowledged that there is still a long way to go before expectations are met.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the Viens report?
A: The Viens report is a document that exposed the mistreatment of Indigenous people in Quebec and outlined recommendations for action.
Q: What is the current status of the calls for action?
A: Less than one-third of the recommended actions have been implemented or are progressing as expected.
Q: Why has progress been slow?
A: Factors such as the lack of an overall strategy, fragmented initiatives, and inadequate planning have contributed to the slow implementation of the calls for action.
Q: What areas need improvement?
A: Youth protection services were highlighted as an area in need of improvement, as Indigenous youth are still overrepresented in these systems.
Q: Are any recommendations fully implemented?
A: Some measures and investments have been made, but only a few recommendations have been fully implemented or are showing progress.