Federal health minister has emotional meeting with men switched at birth

Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott had an emotional meeting Monday with some indigenous men from northern Manitoba who were switched at birth more than 40 years ago and only recently found out.

"It was a moving conversation, hearing the stories of these man and the impact this has had upon their lives," Philpott said following the more-than-three hour meeting which also included relatives and indigenous leaders.

"They spoke about how difficult this has been and also about their very sincere need and desire to heal from the trauma they have endured from this."

The meeting stems from the discovery last year, through DNA testing, that Luke Monias and Norman Barkman ended up with each other's parents after being born at the Norway House Indian Hospital in 1975.

This summer, DNA tests revealed a similar mix-up involving two other men born at the same hospital in the same year Leon Swanson and David Tait Jr.

Philpott has called the mix-ups appalling and has launched an external review of what happened. The RCMP is also investigating.

Only three of the men involved were able to make it to Monday's meeting. They did not speak with the media afterward.

Gilbert Fredette, deputy chief of the Norway House Cree Nation, said Philpott's words were appreciated.

"The families are happy with the steps moving forward," he said. "What they're getting now is swift action from the government."

The men require counselling and in some cases addiction treatment, said Eric Robinson, a former Manitoba deputy premier who has been helping the men.

The men were bullied as kids because they didn't look like other family members, Robinson said. The bullying has grown since the mix-ups were made public.

"The remarks being made in the community have intensified."'

Robinson called what happened a crime and said the four men are contemplating legal action. He also called on the federal government to formally apologize in the House of Commons.

He said Philpott agreed to consider the request.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful to have four people in attendance in the House of Commons while the prime minister delivered an apology to these four victims?"

• Manitoba men weep after learning they were switched at birth 41 years ago
• 2 Manitoba men switched at birth dealing with 'stolen identity'
• Second switched-at-birth case discovered at Norway House
• DNA tests confirm 2nd switched-at-birth case in northern Manitoba

Health Canada also announced it would offer free DNA tests to anyone born at the hospital before 1980.

Last month, the RCMP said it, too, would investigate the cases.

Health Canada reports 239 babies were born in 1975 at the hospital in Norway House.

In partially redacted reports from Jan. 7, 2016, acquired by CBC News through the Access to Information Act, Health Canada maintained hospital records did not clearly show where the switch occurred in the Monias/Barkman case.

"There is no indication that the switch took place at the hospital," the report states.

• Health Canada offers free DNA tests after 2nd switched at birth case

Medical records during the 1970s were not as detailed and since the switch occurred more than 40 years ago, none of the staff still work at the hospital.

"There is very limited documentation available related to operating procedures from the hospital at the time," anundated report said.

Another report, dated Nov. 30, 2015, shows Health Canada officials pulled the birth records of Monias and Barkman to share with the men, but also adds officials were unable to determine the source of the switch from those records.

The hospital no longer does elective deliveries and conducts emergency births about once every two months. Babies born there today are immediately given identification wristbands as is modern practice.