Inuk leader calls for Quebec health minister's resignation over 'racist' remarks

GatanBarrette has since saidhe's sorry if people "misunderstood" his remarks. Read our latest storyhere.

Health MinisterGatanBarrette is being criticized by Indigenous leaders in Quebec, with one calling for Barrette's resignation for what they say are racist comments he recently made at a community event on Montreal's South Shore.

In a transcript of a conversation obtained byCBCNews and LeDevoir, Barrette said parents in remote northern villages could still be barred from accompanying their child on a medevacflight.

"Why? Because no one agitated, drugged, under whatever influence would get on the plane at any cost. That will not happen. And that happens all the time," said Barrette, speaking in English.

From the transcript, checked against an audio recording obtained by CBCNews, it is clear he is referring to medical evacuation flights to Nunavik, Quebec's Inuit territory.

Sick children fly alone

For years, sick children living in Nunavik and other remote Quebec communities have beenflown out by air ambulance alone, unaccompanied by a parent.

After a recent public outcry, the government agreed tomodify that policy. Planes have been reconfigured to accommodate parents or caregivers, and staff are being trained for that eventuality.

However, in the audio recording obtained byCBC, the health minister says,"I guarantee you" that in the next six months, someone will not be allowed to board a flight.

"If you're over there, and your kid has to be transported, and you're the parent and you're agitated, you're under the influence or whatever, you will not get on the plane," Barrette says.

"As simple as that."

Gatan Barrette's remarks about northern parents 'under the influence'

6 years ago

Duration 1:12

Gatan Barrette's remarks about northern parents 'under the influence'

Kuujjuaqmayor 'in shock'

InKuujjuaq, the administrative centre forNunavik, MayorTunuNapartuksaid he was "in shock" over the minister's comments.

He saidBarrette should be removed from his job, and that aminister "shouldn't be saying these kind of things, let alone be thinking them."

The mayor saidKuujjuaqresidents initially felt a huge sense of relief when the government recently told them parents would be allowed to accompany their children on flights.

Kuujjuaqis the largest village inNunavik, with a population of just under 2,800.

In remote communities such ashis,Napartuksays, the air ambulance is the only way out in emergency situations.

"The fear and the emotions and the unknown are already very high," saidNapartuk.

In the past, he said, parents had no choice but to accept putting their sick child on the plane and wait for the next available commercial flight that had a seat for them in order to join their child.

He said it's a stress he wouldn't wish on anyone.

"Your imagination goes wild."

To have such happy news about the change in policy regarding air ambulances marred by Barrette's off-the-cuff comments was difficult forNapartukto digest.

"I find that to be a very racist comment," Napartuksaid. "He is generalizing, stereotyping a group of people.

"He is expected to represent all the citizens of Quebec, all taxpayers including the Inuit ofNunavik," saidNapartuk, who wants a public apology from the minister.

Inexcusable comments

Mohawk activist Ellen Gabriel said Barrette's comments are inexcusable.

"No one wants to be stuck on a plane with no way out with a drunk person, but what he's saying is that all Inuit or all people in the North are drinking.

"That's pretty racist to make a blanket assumption that everyone is going to be like that," she said.

Gabriel reminded the minister that children are only being transported by air ambulance in a time of crisis, not for a routine medical checkup, and they need their parents at their sides.

To separate children from the people they trust and send them alone into the hands of strangers is unacceptable, said Gabriel, and reminiscent of the pain and separation Indigenous families endured when children were forcibly sent to residential schools.

Minister responds

In an emailed statement that CBCreceived from the minister's office late Wednesday, Barrette did not deny having the conversation in which he made those comments, but said his remarks weren't directed toward Indigenous people.

He said he was just outlining a security rule that applies to all caregivers, regardless of their ethnic background.

"Just like on commercial flights, not allowing someone to fly is done to ensure the safety of the people on board," said Barrette.

He saidhe has great respect for Indigenous people and finds it unfortunate his comments were misconstrued.

Barrette said the issue of parents accompanying their children on an air ambulanceimpacts Indigenous communities and everyone living in remote areas.