Canada’s Black Justice Strategy: Publications

Content warning: this page contains references to topics and themes that some readers may find distressing. Considering the sensitive nature of the content, please read with care.

This web page contains the history-making report of the external Steering Group and other publications informing the development of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.

A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy

A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy was developed by the external Steering Group and includes 114 recommendations to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the overrepresentation of Black people in Canada’s criminal justice system.

The recommendations in the report were informed by consultations and engagements led by 12 Black-led community-based organizations across Canada, as well as the results of the Justice Canada online survey responses.

The recommended actions in the report will inform the Government’s response – Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, to be developed and released by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Read the full report here:

The Framework

As part of their mandate, the external Steering Group for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy developed the Framework, a document to guide consultations and engagements with Black communities.

The Framework provides an overview of Canada’s history, of anti-Black racism in Canada, of key issues to address, and of existing and known gaps in data. It also provides an overview of existing recommendations to address the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime.

Most importantly, the Framework provides insight into the Steering Group’s recommended scope and pillars for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, as well as guidelines for the 12 Black-led community-based organizations who were leading community engagement from August to October 2023. This included key considerations for engagement, advice on who to consult and key questions to guide their discussions.

Using the Framework, the 12 community-based organizations consulted and engaged with Black people in their regions across Canada and reported back to the external Steering Group with the outcomes of their discussions. Justice Canada also developed an online survey based on the Framework for those who were unable to participate in community consultations and engagements. The survey was available for input until October 20, 2023.

Read the full Framework here: