Briefing note with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland

This briefing note was the starting point for a discussion between the Black Medical Students’ Association, Black Students’ Association and the Black Law Students’ Association at the University of Toronto and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland that occurred on June 29, 2020.

In this briefing note we do not:

1. Claim to speak for all Black individuals or communities,

2. Claim to speak with finality on any of the subjects enclosed,

3. Propose all the policy approaches that could address the highlighted issues or anti-Black racism, or

4. In any way take a stance against any Black individuals, communities, leaders, activists, or organizers with differing or opposite policy positions.

Additionally, we stand in solidarity with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. We recognize the systemic barriers and colonialism experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge that First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have particular experiences of colonialism, and have a unique role in the social, political, cultural and constitutional landscape of Canada. Nothing contained in this document is an attempt to undermine the unique position of these individuals, communities and peoples, nor to detract from the ongoing and immediate need to ensure the safety, health and flourishing of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and to move towards meaningful and durable reconciliation. 

In this briefing note we do:

Intend to continue ongoing policy discussions on all these issues. We have restrained ourselves to highlighting issues that members of our collectives have experience with from community, service provision and academic settings. We stress that iterative and ongoing conversations, with many more Black groups than ours, are necessary to resource and implement anti-racist policies that will ensure the protection, support and thriving of all Black individuals and communities. 

We wholeheartedly welcome input from Black individuals, communities, leaders, activists, and organizers who disagree, in part or vehemently, with any of our suggestions- and are excited for the opportunity to learn and grow on all these issues. 

All Black Lives Matter. Now and always.

BMSA, BSA, BLSA

Constituency Meeting with Hon. Chrystia Freeland

Briefing Note Provided in Advance to Karel Peters, June 6, 2020

 Black Students’ Association; Black Medical Students Association; Black Law Students’ Association (all at the University of Toronto)

1. Subject

 Meeting with Black student groups regarding issues faced by Black communities in Canada.

2. Issues     

1. Need for reform of the criminal Justice system 

2. Lack of resources to support Excellence in the Black community

3. Lack of perspectives and representation of Black individuals in Governance 

4. Need for improvements in targeting and supporting Black communities’ Health 

3. Why This Matters

Canadians are currently focused on the continued discrimination against Black individuals and communities. Police violence is one of the most egregious manifestations of this discrimination. However, it is also accompanied by a system of discrimination which has the effect of forestalling the flourishing of Black communities. 

In discussions between the three Black student groups, we have identified four interlaced areas which we see as essential to addressing issues pertaining to Black communities thriving: Justice, Excellence, Governance and Health. 

4. Suggested Responses

We recognize that we have broad-based suggestions on these issues. Developing effective policy will require iterative conversations with Black experts and community leaders.

1. Justice: ensure reforms to the criminal justice system that integrate anti-Black racism tools in the approach of institutions that are federally controlled or regulated (i.e. RCMP, PPSC, CSC); ensure continued diversification of the judiciary, especially appellate.

2. Excellence: support the success of Black individuals and communities. Particularly, by: funding entities which support Black youth throughout the educational pipeline, directing resources to community leaders and groups, and supporting Black entrepreneurs. 

3. Governance: ensure representation of Black individuals in governance by diversifying within government, and ensure ongoing conversations with Black communities. 

4. Health: enable effective health and social programming by collecting and sharing accurate data on Black communities. Ensure continued resources to support Black health.

5. Further Details

While we recognize that these changes will require ongoing conversations, we have some initial suggestions on addressing these issues. 

1. Justice

1. Policing: The RCMP should practice anti-racist and anti-violent policing including:

1. deferring to social and health services (i.e. when someone is experiencing a mental health episode)

2. effective de-escalation tactics

3. generating a publicly accessible national database of civilian fatalities 

2. Prosecuting: ensure prosecutorial discretion is informed by the historical and social realities of Black individuals in Canada 

3. Sentencing: amend the Criminal Code s.721 to encourage the use of enhanced pre-sentence reports that contextualize the background circumstances of Black offenders assisted by Black experts, scholars and clinical social workers

4. Access to Justice: The Legal Aid Program should receive increased Federal funding and guaranteed long-term minimum funding; with funding reserved for Black-focused legal aid clinics 

5. Continued diversification of judicial appointments, particularly appellate 

2. Excellence

6. Education: support Black youth from pre-school to professional degrees

1. Resources: provide funding to support students adversely impacted by remote work and learning (i.e. technology and internet grants)

2. Child care support: support to mitigate the impacts of providing childcare during studies

7. Celebration and Resourcing: invest in community, cultural groups, and entrepreneurs

1. Community Support: create a fund to allocate grants to Black community groups (ex. education, parenting, culture)

2. Entrepreneurs: support new and established Black-owned businesses

3. Governance 

8. Secretariat: form a Black Secretariat with a mandate of specifically addressing issues faced by Black Canadians and promoting Black achievement

9. Push for Confronting Anti-Black Racism Units: support arms-length regional units that can respond to racism at the municipal, provincial and federal level

10. Black Youth Governing Committee

4. Health

11. Priority Community: declare the Black community a priority population

12. Race-Based Data: collect and release race-identifying data beyond COVID-19 in consultation with the Black community 

13. Extend Funding for Black Mental Health: ensure funding for resources that can respond to Black mental health, with consideration of systemic supports in place of current lethal police responses to mental health crises