Dr. Ross, I noticed from your biography that you were a founding member of the doctors of B.C.'s diversity and inclusion advisory group. You were also a physician-lead for the Royal Columbian Hospital’s antiracism and unconscious bias working group. It mentioned that in those roles you were committed to fostering learning, awareness, education, and ongoing implementation of inclusive, diverse, and anti-racist practices in health care.
I put this next question in that context to you.
The British Medical Journal, in reporting on Canada's COVID-19 response, found the following:
Despite ostensibly universal healthcare, the highest rates of covid cases and deaths in Canada were among people already disadvantaged: racialised ethnic groups, migrant workers, essential service workers, and those living in crowded housing. For some Indigenous peoples in Canada living on reserves, appalling lack of access to basic needs such as clean water rendered early covid hygiene advice impracticable.
In your view, do you agree with that finding, and what steps should the federal government take to ensure equitable protection of all residents in the event of a future pandemic?