Executive summary

The African Arts and Cultural Community Contributor Society (AACCCS), funded by the Department of Justice Canada under the Black Justice Strategy projectFootnote 1, undertook an examination of justice and policing issues affecting Black people in the province of British Columbia. Utilizing community conversations, focus group discussions, interviews, and survey data analysis, our findings reveal a pervasive negative sentiment among participants when reflecting on, and assessing their experience and that of other Black people they know, with the criminal and justice systems. The overall feeling is that these systems tend to impact their lives not positively.

The consultations highlighted a unanimous understanding that social factors (including economics, mental health, education, and housing) contribute to an inherently adverse justice system for Black individuals in British Columbia. Anti-Black racism emerged as a pervasive force shaping interactions with law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Many participants for example shared instances where Black individuals are presumptively viewed as guilty by police officers. Beyond racial bias, socio-economic factors further compound the challenges faced by those in Black bodies.

Respondents endorsed the recommendations outlined in the Black Justice Strategy, emphasizing the need for educational reforms, economic empowerment, increased representation in justice-related fields, mental health support from Black specialists, accountability for racist acts, and collaborative efforts between governments and Black community organizations. Participants stressed the need for Black experts, organizers and leaders to be involved in designing and implementing all the recommendations.

Our community members underscores the structural nature of the anti-Black challenges within the criminal and justice systems, emphasizing the imperative for the first step in a genuine pursuit of positive change to be the acknowledgment of the structural and deep-seated nature of the challenge. This report serves as a collective call to action for systemic changes that address the root causes of injustice faced by Black communities in British Columbia and Canada, broadly. Maybe, it is not all bleak considering the recent passing of the Anti-Racism Data Act by the provincial government and the proposed Anti-Racism Act. But what would matter the most is implementation of these acts in fair, consistent and genuine ways that prioritize the wellbeing of all Black, Indigenous and People of color in the province.

We appreciate the support of Justice Canada and the Canada’s Black Justice Strategy project team for involving us in this project. We thank our community members for their participation and support.