In light of the federal government’s historic Call to Action and acknowledgment by Prime Minister Trudeau that “systemic racism exists in all institutions,” I must insist that the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health and Health Canada intervene in this matter immediately, and address what CBS seems unwilling and incapable of doing. The aggressive behaviour of CBS staff members at the April 29 meeting, previous hostility by CBS staff members (as I outline above), and the systemic anti-Black (homophobic) racism of the agency can no longer be overlooked or disregarded.
In order to practice anti-racism, one needs to begin with three steps:

(1) name racism, specifically systemic racism, and anti-Black homophobia in the agency and donor protocols;

(2) ask how racism and specifically systemic racism and anti-Black homophobia is operating within the agency, and operationalized by staff, and;

(3) organize, strategize, and commit to disrupting that racism and putting into place an anti-racism practice, including holding people accountable for their racially abusive and aggressive behaviour.
As stated in CBS annual report, 2019-2020, “Under bylaws governed by the Canada Not-forprofit Corporations Act, the provincial and territorial ministers of health (except Quebec’s minister) serve as corporate members of Canadian Blood Services and appoint our board of directors. The ministers also collectively approve Canadian Blood Services’ three-year corporate plan and annual budget.” (p66). Therefore, I am specifically requesting the following: