Liberals must act to end overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous people in justice system

HALIFAX -- The NDP Caucus is renewing its call for the Liberal government to create an African Nova Scotian Justice Institute as a key commitment to deal with systemic racism in Nova Scotia. Today’s Standing Committee on Community Services will be discussing the overrepresentation of Black and Indigenous people in the justice system.

“For years we’ve seen study after study point out the symptoms of systemic racism in the justice system. It’s time we did more than study the issue,” said Susan Leblanc, NDP spokesperson for African Nova Scotia Affairs. “When we have substantial proposals from the community such as the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute left sitting on the table and recommendations, like those from the Street Checks report, still unfulfilled we can not say we’ve done our best to ensure equity for all residents of Nova Scotia.”

According to a 2019 report from the Department of Justice, Indigenous people are 6 per cent of the population of Nova Scotia, however they make up 8 percent of admissions to remand. And, while African Nova Scotians make up about 2 per cent of the population of Nova Scotia, they represent 10 per cent of those in sentenced custody.

“The Liberal government has a lot to say about wanting equity and anti-racism initiatives in place, but without action those words ring hollow,” said Lisa Roberts, NDP MLA and Community Services committee member. “We’ve seen this time and time again from the Liberal government that promises to act on recommendations for change but then drags their feet on following through.”

When the House resumes, the NDP will re-table legislation to create an African Nova Scotian Justice Institute, a proposal New Democrats first put forward in October 2019 following consultation with the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition.

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