Toward Transformative Change: an Implementation Plan for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy

The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) welcomes the release of Toward Transformative Change: an Implementation Plan for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, Canada’s long awaited Black Justice Strategy. This is part of the federal government’s response to the external Steering Group’s report: A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy released in June 2024. 

The CRRF applauds the external Steering Group for its groundbreaking work that informed the creation of this strategy, as well as Black community members and all those who were consulted and contributed to its development 

The CRRF has worked to support the Strategy since the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada was first mandated to develop it in December 2021, including supporting townhalls and discussions with members of the External Steering group and community groups. 

We are eager to see progress on the Black Justice Strategy since this is something Black communities have been calling for years, and that the CRRF has been working to advance. This latest step brings us even closer to creating meaningful change in Canada’s justice system for Black Canadians.” – Mohammed Hashim, CEO, Canadian Race Relations Foundation.  

Black Canadians are twice as likely to be accused of crime according to Statistics Canada. They are overrepresented in Canada’s justice system because of many factors stemming from anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination. To address this issue in a way that remains responsive to their realities and experiences, the Strategy deployed the deepest consultation across the country of Black Canadians with legal systems, in collaboration with the External Steering Group of Black experts and leaders. 

While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to eradicate anti-Black racism in the justice system, Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is an important tool that will guide the government of Canada, provinces and the justice sector towards this goal. The CRRF will continue supporting the Strategy as well as Black communities across Canada in the fight against anti-Black racism in all its forms and looks forward to the implementation of the rest of the strategy.