Legault apologizes for saying problems that led to Joyce Echaquan's death are 'resolved'

FranoisLegault sayshe didn't intend to offend Joyce Echaquan's family when he said the "problem that happened at the Joliette hospital with Mrs. Joyce is now resolved" during last week's debate.

The CAQ leader and incumbentpremier was responding to criticism about his refusal to recognize systemic racism.

Legault insisted whilecampaigningin Orford, Que., Tuesday that he never intended to harm Echaquan's husband, Carol Dub, and recognized there are still problems to be solved.

"I can only imagine how hard it must be, what you went through," Legaultsaid. "There are racist people in Quebec, particularly towardIndigenous people. We have to fight that. We can't accept that."

The controversy comes almosttwo years after Echaquan, an Atikamekw mother of seven, died in hospital after filming herself being subjected to insulting comments from staff.

A Quebec coroner later ruled her death was "accidental" because she failed to receive the care she was entitled to.

Last week, Legault said he talked to Dub and the problems at the hospital had been solved. Patrick Martin-Mnard, the family's lawyer, said this isn't true though the family had been asking to meet him for two years.

Dub says there was no meeting beyond a chance encounter with Legault during the papal visit.In his apology, Legault said he would like to meet withDub after the election.

Following the debate, Atikamekw leaders emphasized there are still many issues to be addressed.

Their demands includethe government acknowledging systemic racism in the province something Legault has said does not exist and adopting Joyce's Principle to guarantee all Indigenous peoplethe right to equitable access to health and social services in the province.

On Saturday, Legaultsaid members of the Atikamekw community wantto reopen a debate on systemic racism rather than "solve problems on the ground."

The CAQ leader also saidhis government has been working hard to address racism and to improve relations with Indigenous communities.

Echaquan's family will notmake any statements in response to Legault's comments, said the family lawyer.