“It’s not settled, we know it very well,” Minister for Crown Indigenous Relations Marc Miller said of the situation experienced by clients at Joliette Hospital, where Joyce Echaquan lost his life two years ago.

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“You just have to ask the Atikamekw who come to this hospital every day what they think. I think you will have answers that are very clear,” added Mr Miller as he entered Parliament for Question Time on Tuesday afternoon.

When asked about systemic racism against indigenous people during the face-to-face broadcast on TVA last week, Mr Legault confirmed that the situation at Joliette Hospital was “resolved”.

The testimony was swallowed by Ms. Echaquan’s family. In a press release issued the day after the debate, she reiterated that the problems encountered in this hospital “cannot be ‘solved’ by essentially aesthetic changes”.

Mr Legault apologized to Ms Echaquan’s wife on Tuesday on the sidelines of a Tuesday news conference.

“I would like to say a word to Mr Carol Dubé, what you and your family have experienced is tragic, it is very sad. Losing his spouse, losing the mother of his children and last week in the debate I take your word for it I have hurt you and I sincerely apologize for that and I hope to have the opportunity to meet you after the election” , said the outgoing prime minister.

In the federal capital, Minister Miller stressed that “systemic racism exists throughout Quebec, in Canada. Denying it doesn’t mean it will go away.”

“I know it is very hurtful, especially for the Atikamekw, to hear these comments. The fact remains, however, that the federal government must play a role in ensuring that systemic racism is eradicated everywhere, whether in Quebec or the rest of Canada.

Mr Miller acknowledges that “efforts have been made” to contain the problem, “obviously efforts which are commendable”.

“But doing two-three things, firing two-three people, it’s a bit like a groundhog game: she’ll go back to another hospital or even Joliette,” he added.

Remember that following the death of Joyce Echaquan, the Quebec Minister of Health introduced mandatory training for health network workers on indigenous realities in difficult circumstances.

Quebec has also created a position on the executive board of CISSS de Lanaudière dedicated solely to improving relations with the region’s indigenous people.