Acknowledgements

This report was developed in collaboration with members of the Steering Group for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy:

Fernando Belton, Vanessa Fells, Mandela Kuet, Anthony Morgan, Sandra Muchekeza, Suzanne Taffot, and Moya Teklu

We extend our deepest gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose dedicated efforts have profoundly shaped Canada's Black Justice Strategy. Foremost, we recognize the Black communities across Canada, whose enduring work over the past five centuries to address our complex relationship with, and disproportionate representation in the justice system has been foundational. We honour and acknowledge the lived experiences of Black individuals—those directly and indirectly impacted by the justice system—whose stories and struggles underscore the urgent need for this strategy.

We are immensely grateful to the members of the Steering Group for Canada's Black Justice Strategy, whose invaluable insights and unwavering commitment have guided this strategy from conception through to realization. Our efforts have also been significantly enriched by the community-based organizations that have tirelessly gathered diverse perspectives and experiences. Additionally, we appreciate the contributions from all individuals and organizations that submitted their input during the consultation phases. These contributions have been instrumental in ensuring that the Strategy is grounded in the realities faced by Black Canadians.

We also wish to acknowledge the representatives from the United Nations, whose recommendations called for the development of this strategy, highlighting its importance on an international scale and reinforcing a global commitment to justice and equity. We recognize the dedicated staff at the Canada's Black Justice Strategy team, the Department of Justice, and other government departments whose support and collaboration have been pivotal in advancing this strategy. Their hard work and dedication have ensured that the Strategy not only addresses immediate concerns but also provides a roadmap for transformative change.

Finally, we thank our own ancestors for their perseverance and guidance in bringing us here today and leading us into this work, and we dedicate our efforts to our children. This strategy is for them and the future they will inherit and inhabit.