The Federation of Black Canadians is dedicated to the rights and prosperity of our communities. We are sharing an important update regarding the new federal Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion.
As a member of the National Employment Equity Council (NEC), we have consistently worked alongside unions, human rights groups, and community leaders to modernize Canada’s employment equity framework. This ongoing work recently highlighted the importance of ensuring inclusive representation in federal initiatives.
Earlier this year, the federal government announced the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to tackle issues of racism and hate. However, upon the announcement of the initial members in June, there were no Black representatives included, and the mandate did not explicitly address anti-Black racism.
Recognizing that things aren’t yet where they need to be, the Federation of Black Canadians joined hands with the NEC, Amnesty International Canada, and the Canadian Black Clergies and Allies to support efforts to rectify this gap. During a press conference on June 4, the NEC called on the Government of Canada to:
- Appoint Black male and female leaders and experts to the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion.
- Ensure representation from Canada’s Black faith community.
- Establish an explicit mandate to address anti-Black racism.
- Introduce legislation to modernize the Employment Equity Act and implement the accepted recommendations of the Employment Equity Act Review.
Following this collaborative advocacy, the federal government appointed the Honourable Corrine Sparks to the Advisory Council.
Justice Sparks is a true pioneer. She made history as the first Black woman to serve as a judge in Canada and the first African Nova Scotian appointed to the province’s judiciary. The Federation of Black Canadians warmly welcomes her appointment; her decades of service in advancing equality and human rights make her an essential voice for our community.
While the appointment of Justice Sparks is a positive and necessary step forward, we note that several of the coalition’s recommendations remain unaddressed. Specifically, there is still an opportunity to broaden representation to include Black male leaders and members of the Black faith community, as well as to formally establish a mandate that explicitly addresses anti-Black racism.
The Federation of Black Canadians, alongside our partners at the NEC, will continue to consult with our communities and work constructively with the government. We remain committed to ensuring that our lived experiences help shape the policies that impact our daily lives.
Watch the full press conference here.
