Executive summary

Black Lives Matter New Brunswick (BLMNB) believes this project is a valuable use of resources for the Government of Canada and deserves positive recognition for its commitment to a Black Justice Strategy whereby minority groups can feel freedom in their daily lives in which their individual rights are on the same level as every other person living in Canada. The compliments received from participants during the consultation process were genuine.

Quoted from one participant after being asked about their experiences and how it shapes how they feel about Black Justice, “Consistent with the Black experience since 1492”, reinforces a stark reality that we still have Black Canadian citizens living with this degree of racism today. Even more stark is that most, if not all, other participants demonstrated the same opinion.

On many occasions community members expressed frustration with the process and refused to participate. This frustration was demonstrated through a Black community member’s comment “the government of Canada was more concerned with checking a box then making sure they did it (the consolation process) right”.

Due to the short timeframe allocated for BLMNB to conduct this consultation process, we are confident we were able to collect reliable data from the limited number of participants. All information presented in this report is purely based upon the information provided by the participants, some of which come from participants who have held high ranking roles within the justice system. Bearing in mind that the feedback received from those individuals conforms to that of the rest of participants. Therefore, BLMNB feels all the information collected is reliable.

While we feel the information collected in such a short period of time is consistent and reliable, it begs to question as to the results we would have received if BLMNB be granted sufficient time to reach a broader audience. More harrowing experiences would likely have been presented. Nonetheless, from the information we were able to collect, the participants presented a clear message that biases and prejudice continue to be expressed toward them simply because they are Black.

A common theme observed through this process gives us a strong message that diversity needs to be given more weight in Canada’s justice system. In a justice system that reportedly, as per a quote provided by one of the participants, “is operating consistent with 1942”, it is obvious that the minority populations need equal representation at all levels of the justice system including:

The recommendations need to be implemented as all participants feel that while these may not be enough to create the balance desired, they are indeed a step in the right direction.

Finally, Black Lives Matter New Brunswick feels that a significant and meaningful time was needed in order to connect with a greater number of people to gather their stories, experiences, and recommendations. While we are convinced that our findings are an accurate reflection of the facts, it would have been a more diligent and fair process for the Black community, the fundamental principle of this initiative.