Racialized groups in NB wait for action after report on systemic racism released – New Brunswick

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Following the release of Systemic Racism Commissioner Manju Varma’s final report, attention is turning to how the government will respond.

The report contained 86 recommendations, ranging from renaming racist place names to a Black and Indigenous-led task force to address systemic racism in New Brunswick police services.

Pabineau First Nation Chief Terry Richardson said the ball is now in the government’s court.

“When you get a report, is it just another document that goes on a shelf and just gathers dust?” he said.

“So that’s how significant this report is.”

Richardson was disappointed that Varma did not call for an investigation into the systemic racism facing Indigenous people in the justice system, but said swift action on other recommendations would be a good sign the government is serious about the report.

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Read more: New Brunswick releases report on systemic racism despite criticism from Indigenous leaders

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NB releases report on systemic racism despite criticism from Indigenous leaders

One such example is the government’s ban on using the words unceded and unceded in acknowledgments of land. Higgs said the ban was in response to a land claim filed by the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick last year.

Richardson said this is a denial in fact and a sign that the government has no interest in negotiating with First Nations, who want to be able to share in the economic activity that takes place on their traditional lands.

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” It’s not a secret. This is the unceded and unceded territory of the Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy peoples of this province, lands that we have shared for hundreds of years and continue to share,” he said.

“If anyone wants to challenge systemic racism, well, there is a perfect example of racism. It’s a smaller level, but it’s racism and it needs to be removed.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Premier Blaine Higgs said he hasn’t read the report yet and doesn’t know when the province will respond to its recommendations.

“Our hope is that we would actively look at this in the new year,” he said.

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“There are a lot of recommendations and how much we can do, how many are things… maybe we should consider. So I can’t give a time frame.

For racialized people in the province, delays in government action have consequences, according to Matthew Martin, CEO and President of Black Lives Matter New Brunswick.

“It really is life or death for me and many of my colleagues and friends and for many people in New Brunswick,” said Martin.

“So I really hope that our government sees that and really moves forward and moves forward quickly with the intent and purpose of implementing these recommendations.”

Other recommendations in the report include a mandate for police and health authorities to collect race-based data, a clear anti-hate strategy, an overhaul of immigration services and how newcomers are supported in province and the creation of a body or position to focus specifically on dismantling systemic racism.

2:17Report asks task force to examine systemic racism in New Brunswick

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