Nell Toussaint and her fight for universal health care honoured at all-party reception
Just over one year ago, on January 9, Canada lost a universal health care champion when Nell Toussaint died at the age of 54.
For this year’s Black History Month, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is honouring the life of Nell Toussaint and her struggle for universal health care. CUPE is Canada’s largest union, representing workers in health care, emergency services, education, early learning and child care, and other sectors.
#BlackHistoryMonth is a time to celebrate & highlight Black History & culture, to honour the ancestors & leaders of Black communities, their accomplishments & their continued fight for liberation.
— CUPE National (@cupenat) February 1, 2024
Join us in honouring human rights defender Nell Toussaint.https://t.co/k2HFLz28l5
On February 13, the Canadian Health Coalition was able to showcase CUPE’s poster honouring Nell Toussaint at an all-party reception in the Speaker’s Lounge, part of the coalition’s Health and Hope Lobby on Parliament Hill. Many lobbyists said this event was moving and memorable.
Greg Fergus, MP (Hull—Aylmer), Canada’s first Black Speaker of the House hosted the reception, along with Arielle Kayabaga, Liberal MP (London-West), Carol Hughes, NDP MP (Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing), Dr. Stephen Ellis, Conservative MP (Cumberland-Colchester), and Marie-Hélène Gaudreau, Bloc MP (Laurentides—Labelle). Framed posters of Nell Toussaint were given to hosting MPs.
CUPE’s Diversity Vice-President representing Black and racialized workers Aubrey Gonsalves told the reception attendees, “There is a fundamental principle in the union movement – an injury to one is an injury to all. Few have embodied that principle as meaningfully as Nell.” Gonsalves then presented a framed poster of Nell to her niece Whendeann Gittens. Gittens also addressed the standing room only crowd.
Nell was not able to access health care when she needed it because of her irregular immigration status. Believing everyone should have timely and equal access to health care, Nell went to the United Nations, arguing that Canada had violated her rights to life and to non-discrimination. In a historic decision, the UN Human Rights Committee agreed with Nell and directed the Canadian government to grant essential health care to irregular migrants. Canada refused, so Nell took Canada to the Ontario Superior Court in an effort to get the Canadian government to stop denying irregular migrants access to health care. Clearing legal hurdles, that court challenge continues today.
In early February, Canadian Health Coalition launched a letter writing campaign with the support of Nell’s advocate Bruce Porter, calling on the Canadian government to accept recommendations made at Canada’s recent Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, namely to ensure access to health care without discrimination on the basis of immigration status and fully implement the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee in Nell Toussaint v Canada CCPR/C/123/D/2348/2014 (30 August 2018).
Hundreds of letters from across the country supporting health care access for irregular migrants have been sent to Health Minister Mark Holland, Justice Minister Arif Virani and other responsible ministers.
Canada had until February 12 to respond to the UN Human Rights Council recommendation. The response has not been made publicly available, so the Canadian Health Coalition has filed a formal information request to obtain the response.
Tracy Glynn is the National Director of Projects and Operations for the Canadian Health Coalition
