Quebec investigation confirms forced sterilization of indigenous women

A report released Thursday confirmed 22 cases of forced sterilization of Indigenous and Inuit women in Quebec since 1980 and called for an end to the practice.

According to the study, some participants were unaware that they had undergone sterilization until years after surgery and sought infertility treatment.

Most of the participants did not sign forms consenting to sterilization. The underwriter also said the information he received from the medical staff was unclear about the impact of the surgery on his ability to bear children.

The report said the most recent sterilization occurred in 2019, and concluded that systemic racism was “clearly present” in Quebec.

The study calls on the Medical College of Quebec to cease practice immediately and calls on state and federal governments to take action.

A study by researchers at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue is the first recorded in Quebec of forced sterilization of Indigenous and Inuit women.