Standard of Practice

The Standard of Practice – Practicing Medicine to Eliminate Anti-Indigenous Racism is effective June 21, 2025.

The Standard is the culmination of 16 months of development by a working group comprising members from the Indigenous Advisory Circle and Indigenous individuals and organizations that helped inform its development.

This Standard of Practice outlines actions, based on the Code of Ethics and Professionalism, that registrants should take to prevent racism against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in Manitoba.

 

Why a Standard of Practice?

Racism directed against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in the healthcare system is researched, well-documented, and reported on both provincially and federally (the Standard includes contextual information and resources outlining this information).

Anti-Indigenous racism shows up in medical practice through physician-patient interactions and is embedded in healthcare policies, procedures, and structures.

Indigenous-specific racism has profound impacts. In the most egregious of cases, it can result in death or delays to medical care that is essential for staying healthy and well.

As leaders in the healthcare system, registrants must uphold the Standard and Code of Ethics and Professionalism to safeguard the reputation and public trust in the medical profession.

A Contextual Information and Resources document is included with the Standard. 

 

About the Standard of Practice

The Standard is structured into three main principles. The first step is defining what anti-Indigenous racism looks like and what it feels like in the health system.

  1. Understanding what anti-Indigenous racism is, acknowledging it exists, and its negative impacts on the health of Indigenous people.
  2. Identifying acts of anti-Indigenous racism and omissions in the health care system and in the practice of medicine.
  3. Taking action to address acts or omissions of anti-Indigenous racism. 

 

Quick facts about how the Standard was developed

  • The Standard of Practice is one of the seven actions CPSM as committed to, as recommended by the Indigenous Advisory Circle in 2023.
  • The development of the Standard began in 2023. It was developed by a subgroup (working group) of the Indigenous Advisory Circle.
  • Pre-consultations were held with Indigenous people, experts in anti-racism, Indigenous healthcare providers, and other stakeholders throughout the process.  
  • This was followed by a broader public consultation in the fall of 2024. (See process for public consultations here).
  • After the public consultation, the working group reviewed and discussed all feedback received.
  • The Standard of Practice was then revised before being submitted for Council approval.
  • The Standard of Practice was approved by Council in December 2024. 
  • Successful implementation of the Standard will rely on the Restorative Practices Program.