"Canada’s Black Justice Strategy (the Strategy) will be the federal government’s response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. The Strategy will aim to help ensure that Black people have access to equal treatment before and under the law in Canada.
"The Strategy is being developed in consultation with Black communities across Canada, including an external Steering Group of experts and leaders. This work ensures that the Strategy reflects the diversity of experiences and regional realities of Black people in Canada, as well as different intersectionalities, such as ethnic or cultural origin, religion, gender, age, language, disability, sexual orientation, and multiracial heritage."
- Excerpt from Canada's Black Justice Strategy website
CrimSL’s Research Cluster for the Study of Racism and Inequality (CSRI) was very proud to stand with the Black Opportunity Fund, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and U of T’s Victoria University and Black Research Network to present a national Town Hall to discuss the Steering Committee’s recommendations for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, which are currently under consideration for implementation by the government.
In keeping with values at the heart of CSRI, Black Justice Strategy research is anchored in community, fostering the active involvement of the people most affected by systemic inequity in order to document current issues facing BIPOC Canadians, create a clear and accurate picture of the successes and shortfalls of historic equity policies, and develop effective solutions for restorative and reparative justice.
The National Black Justice Strategy Townhall to discuss the recommendations for Canada's Black Justice Strategy was held on October 8, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Victoria University's Northrop Frye Hall, and was preceded and followed by informal receptions.
Over 500 people across Canada attended the event in-person and online to gain a better understanding of the June 2024 publication, A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy by Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, and Zilla Jones, criminal defense lawyer, writer, and anti-racism educator.
Donna Walwyn, Vice Chair, Black Opportunity Fund, provided remarks.
Lesa Williams-George, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Transformative Practices at Victoria University, gave a welcome and introductory remarks on behalf of Rhonda McEwen, President of Victoria University.
Michael Cheena, Knowledge Keeper at Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, performed an Indigenous Welcome ceremony.
The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, provided a pre-recorded video message thanking the Steering Committee and report authors for their work. He said, "You have presented a vision that is truly transformative. A vision for a justice system that treats all equally, free from discrimination."
CrimSL's Kamari Clarke, Director and Professor, and Beatrice Jauregui, Professor, provided remarks.
"A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada's Black Justice Strategy" represents the importance of participating in the development of new policies that can provide real change in Canadian society.
The conversations tonight will offer us a wonderful opportunity to engage further and to shed light on some of the most consequential iussues of our time.
- Introductory remarks from Kamari Clarke, CrimSL Director, October 8, 2024.
Fatma Hassan, Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) also provided remarks.
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah and Zilla Jones presented a synopsis of the publication's recommendations, the rationale behind them, the potential government response, and the implications for restorative and reparatory justice. They also offered insights into the Steering Committee’s process.
The report is a reflection of the lives of Black people.
- Akwasi Owusu-Bempah
Speakers and panel discussants also included Dr. Myrna Lashley, CM, Associate Professor, Dept. of Medicine, Division of trans-cultural psychiatry, McGill University and researcher at the Culture and Mental Health Research Unit of the Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research; DeRico Symonds, Director of Community Engagement and Justice Initiatives, African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI), and President & Founder of Ignite Consulting; Dunia Nur, President & CEO, African Canadian Civic Engagement Council; and Craig Wellington,CEO, Black Opportunity Fund.
A high level of audience engagement was apparent during Q&A.
The presentations and discussions touched on a wide variety of topics related to justice for Black Canadians.
Notable quotes
Regarding social determinants – justice is more than just the criminal justice system. True systemic change includes housing, food, employment, income fairness, education. How can we think of these determinants as being viable prerequisites when we think about justice?
- Kamari Clarke
The ideas will outlast this government and with movement in the right places the government can be as swift in implementing the recommendations as we were in getting the strategy out.
- Zilla Jones
The report recognizes systemic issues dating back to the 1700’s and proposes a reparative process to make right these wrongs. We can’t say whether government will adopt the process but the path is laid out.
- Akwasi Owusu-Bempah
Racism in prisons needs to be addressed somewhere in this report possibly as an adjunct.
- Myrna Lashley
There is a fundamental issue of government as being both harmer and healer. There is an incongruence: you can’t harm and then propose to have the solution. Government-led restorative and reparatory justice have disproportionately not served the Black community.
- DeRico Symonds
About event co-presenters
- The Black Opportunity Fund (BOF) is a partnership between businesses, philanthropists, foundations, & the Black community to combat the impact of anti-black racism in Canada.
- The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is a federal Crown corporation mandated to raise public awareness of the causes and manifestations of racism in Canada.
- The mission of U of T's Black Research Network is to promote Black excellence at University of Toronto and enhance the research capacity of Black scholars within the university and on the world stage.
- Victoria University is the oldest college in the University of Toronto.
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks to thirteen CrimSL students who volunteered their help at this event. We couldn't have done it without you!
- Emma Akpabio
- Lisa Ariemma
- Emily Clara
- Wumi Asubiaro Dada
- Rachel Gu
- Camille Hazzard
- Masoom Johal
- Sahil Kaul
- Bri MacNeill
- Kadija Osei
- Ashley Phan
- Satakshi Singh
- Mikaela Taylor
And special thanks to:
- Michael Cheena, Knowledge Keeper, Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
- Elder Andrew Wesley, First Nations House
Watch the October 8 event below.