Executive summary

This report stems from a collaboration between the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council (ACCEC) and the Department of Justice Canada. It presents findings from ACCEC’s consultations with Alberta’s vastly expanding Black communities regarding Canada’s inaugural Black Justice Strategy. The goal of the consultations was to facilitate a community-led review of the strategy’s recommendations. ACCEC consulted with a vast array of Black-identifying and Black-serving individuals and organizations, providing them an opportunity to assess whether the recommendations aligned with the specific needs of Black communities in Alberta. To achieve this objective, ACCEC adopted a mixed-methods research approach, which included a series of in-person and virtual focus groups and administering an online survey. From both approaches, a total of 239 individuals provided feedback on the recommendations. The key takeaways of the consultations are as follows:

  1. The strategy is a positive step in advocating for more equitable treatment for Black communities in Alberta, both as victims and offenders. However, an action plan is needed to ensure the recommendations are implemented.
  2. Of the five pillars listed within the strategy, “the social determinants of justice” evoked the most active engagement from participants. Our participants largely believe that enhancing the social and economic well-being of Black communities will curb interaction with the justice system as victims or offenders.
  3. Addressing systemic and interpersonal racism within the criminal justice system and other social institutions remains a key priority for Black communities – especially persons who have suffered victimization and offenders.
  4. Black people are not a monolith. The diversity of the Black community must be considered in research and policymaking in relation to criminal justice.

The report concludes with a comprehensive list of recommendations compiled from the focus groups and survey responses.