Vision and Values
Our Mission
Vancouver Division will improve the primary care system in Vancouver for the benefit of our patients and members alike.
Our Goals
Building off the rich and diverse ways that family doctors provide primary care, the overarching goal of the Vancouver Division is to support our doctor members and advocate that they get the necessary tools to look after their patients. We strive to ensure that family doctors remain central to system change in this community.
As the largest provincial division, membership of more than 1,200 family doctors represents 90% of the practicing family doctors in Vancouver and 18% of doctors in the province.
Land Acknowledgement
The Vancouver Division of Family Practice and our membership and partners acknowledge that the work we do occurs on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish. We are very pleased that these host Nations who each operate their own primary care centers, are our valued partners.
The Musqueam (pronounced Mus-kwee-um) traditional territory includes what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas. Today, parts of Musqueam’s traditional territory are called: Vancouver, North Vancouver, South Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, New Westminster, Burnaby, and Richmond.7 The name xwm θkw y’ m (Musqueam) means “People of the River Grass.” Today, the Musqueam have three reserves in Metro Vancouver. This is a very small portion of their traditional territory.
Tsleil-Waututh (pronounced Slay-wah-tuth) people’s traditional territory reaches from the Fraser River in the south to Mamquam Lake in the north. Their oral history and archaeological evidence shows that they have lived in the lands and waters of their traditional territory surrounding the Burrard Inlet for thousands of years. Tsleil-Waututh means People of the Inlet. They are sometimes called the “Children of the Takaya” or “Children of the Wolf”.
The Squamish Nation (pronounced Skwa-mish) traditional territory covers present day Metro Vancouver, Gibson’s Landing and the Squamish River watershed. The Squamish Nation has occupied and governed their territory since beyond recorded history. The Squamish People’s traditional language is Skwxwú7mesh Snichim. The Skwxwú7mesh Snichim, although in danger of being lost, is still an important part of the Squamish culture. The Squamish Nation has 24 reserves, and four of these are in Metro Vancouver and others extend up the coast.
The three Nations have signed agreements honoring their shared territory and their role as host Nations in Metro Vancouver.
Justice, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (JEDI)
We aim to foster a division of family practice that celebrates and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. It takes diversity of thought, culture, background, and perspective to create meaningful change in primary care. The Vancouver Division is committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) in all areas. For example:
- Member leadership engagement: Our leadership opportunities (whether formal or informal) are open to all members. We especially encourage those who self-identify as representing regularly under-represented voices to apply for roles of leadership.
- Hiring processes: We are committed to promoting JEDI in our process where all applicants are considered, regardless of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and other protected grounds.
For resources on the issue of systemic racism and other biases in healthcare in Canada and British Columbia, refer to the resources below. For those who identify as Indigenous and are seeking support, the FHNA has compiled culturally safe supports available in BC.
