The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute) is a renowned neurology and neuroscience institution based in Montreal, Canada. Founded in 1934, the Neuro has a history of ground-breaking scientific and clinical studies, and became the first Open Science Institute in the world in 2016. The purpose of open science is to make science more accessible for everyone, not only in terms of scientific findings but also in the scientific endeavour itself. However, at the Neuro, marginalised groups are under-represented at the Faculty level, and are subject to exclusionary practices in the form of microaggressions and harassment in academic and clinical settings. 

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Following the mass protest movement for Black Lives Matter and the death of Joyce Echaquan, the Neuro has not released its own statement of support and commitment for the well-being of Black and Indigenous staff, students, and patients. It has been suggested by some parties that these matters are the responsibility of McGill University and its Health Centre (MUHC), and not the Neuro itself. While it is true that the Neuro falls under the bracket of these affiliations, it is important for EDI plans to be present in all major units of large institutions, particularly if a unit presents itself to the world as a distinct entity, as does the Neuro. Given that the Neuro stakes its brand on its progressive Open Science Policy and its core values of accountability and diversity, it is imperative that this institute upholds its responsibility to staff, students, patients, and the public by denouncing racism and discrimination in all its forms. 

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As the Neuro aims to adhere to McGill University policy, we urge senior leadership at the Neuro to implement measures outlined by the university’s Policy Against Sexual Violence, Report from the Provost’s Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Education, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan, and Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism at the Neuro in a deliberate and conscientious manner. While we acknowledge that the current global pandemic places unprecedented pressure on the Neuro and the Canadian healthcare system, given that COVID-19 disproportionately affects marginalised communities and the emerging importance of medical care and research in the public eye, we believe that it is now more important than ever for these changes to be implemented.

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Our aim for this petition is to ensure that the Neuro implements its own action plan for addressing racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) to foster a more inclusive and safe environment. We recommend that the Neuro start by following the points outlined below; however, the Neuro must be responsible for creating their own highly-detailed action plan:

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• Release a statement acknowledging the existence of ongoing systemic racism in academia and healthcare. 

• Publish a detailed plan to create an actively anti-racist institution and address EDI. 

• Collect quantitative and qualitative data about demographics and current climate at the institute to identify issues of racism and EDI within the Neuro.

• Create a qualified and fairly-compensated task force to oversee implementation of anti-racism and EDI policies, with a 5-year budget commitment and clear timelines for deliverables. 

• Identify and address existing barriers to equitable hiring practices at the Neuro. 

• Conduct mandatory and extensive anti-racism and EDI training for all levels of faculty, staff and students based at the Neuro. This training should also be provided to third parties who have contracts with McGill and work at the Neuro, including security services.

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For more information, please click here to read our long form petition.

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Other than showing you support by signing the petition below, if you feel comfortable doing so, we invite you to email neuroedipetition@gmail.com with incidents of experienced or witnessed racism, sexism, or other forms of identity-based discrimination and harassment at the Neuro. These incidents will be anonymized and, with your consent, compiled and presented to senior leadership at the Neuro to bring awareness to the prevalence of discrimination and harassment at the institute. In this way, we hope to give a voice to those who have felt uncomfortable reporting these issues to HR or security services. We also hope to give current and past patients the opportunity to anonymously bring forward these important issues. Thank you for your trust and support.