NDP MPPs stand with Black Ontarians to call for Health Equity

QUEEN’S PARK – This morning, NDP Shadow Minister for Health MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) and MPPs Dr. Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre), Tom Rakocevic (Humber River-Black Creek), and Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) joined founder and Executive Director of the Black Women’s Institute for Health (BWIH) Kearie Daniel in the media studio to discuss the introduction of the Black Health Equity Act, 2026.

"When I received the Voices Unheard report last November, it confirmed what many healthcare professionals — and black women specifically — have known for far too long: black women don’t get the same quality of care and face worse outcomes in our healthcare system," stated MPP Gélinas. "Voices Unheard provides undeniable evidence of the urgent need for systematic, race-and-gender-based data collection in Ontario. This is a massive, decades-old blind spot, and I am proud to table legislation to finally fix it."

“The findings of Voices Unheard are a call to action for all of us to address the inequities in healthcare for Black women. Addressing inequities in Ontario’s healthcare system requires coordinated, systemic change at every level,” shared MPP Lennox. “This bill is a meaningful step in ensuring that Black Ontarians receive quality healthcare when and where they need it."

MPP Wong-Tam shared, “Anti-Black racism in health care is real and pervasive and has lasting harm on the health of Black Ontarians. Our new NDP Bill gives the government real tools to make meaningful improvements for Black Ontarians and the healthcare system. I'm grateful to the community leaders and patients whose research and stories helped inform this bill."

“The largest Canadian survey ever conducted on Black women’s health shows clear gaps in care. We must fix what isn’t working so Black women receive the timely, competent, and respectful medical care they deserve,” shared MPP Tom Rakocevic.

The Black Health Equity Act, 2026 was introduced for first reading on May 5, 2026 in the Ontario Legislature.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

“We recognize that the healthcare system is under strain for everyone, but the reality is that Black women are navigating additional barriers that cannot be ignored. We are seeing Black women delay or avoid seeking care altogether out of fear of how they will be treated, and that is deeply concerning. This is not acceptable. The only way to meaningfully address this is through the collection and public reporting of race-based data, alongside a clear framework with defined outcomes and accountability measures at every level of the system. Without that, we cannot close the gaps that continue to harm Black women and our communities.”

—Kearie Daniels, Executive Director of the Black Women's Institute for Health

"For years we have been advocating for the systematic collection of race-based health data in Ontario to help address gaps in access to equitable, inclusive, culturally safe, and anti-racist healthcare. Black Health Equity Act, 2026 will build on these efforts while holding the government responsible and accountable for delivering this overdue policy our Black communities so desperately need. Anti-Black racism is a public health crisis and it costs Black lives. We will not be overlooked any longer."

—Dr. Jill Andrew, Former Member of Provincial Parliament, and Body Confidence Canada, Co-Founder