LibGuides: Critical Race and Legal Theory: Commissions, Reports, and Inquiries

African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent (ANSDPAD) Coalition

Recognizing that African Nova Scotians are a distinct founding people in Nova Scotia who have been a key part of the province’s culture and history since 1605, the DPAD Coalition’s mission is twofold: to build strength and health across African Nova Scotian communities, and to forge a renewed working relationship with government(s) that creates conditions for all African-descended people in Nova Scotia to thrive.

While acknowledging that much work remains to address the legacy of enslavement, segregation and generational effects of systemic anti-Black racism in Nova Scotia, we strive to call governments out of past attitudes and behaviours—doing to or for African Nova Scotian communities, instead of with—and into a meaningful engagement that respects people as agents in their own solutions. We seek a relationship where African Nova Scotians are engaged, included and listened to at all levels of policy- shaping and decision-making. We also seek to strengthen relationships amongst ourselves to equip communities and organizations to work collectively and holistically across sectors, in an accountable and mutually supportive way.

ANSDPAD Coalition Website

International Decade for People of African Descent

The International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024, provides a solid framework for the United Nations, Member States, civil society and all other relevant actors to join together with people of African descent and take effective measures for the implementation of the programme of activities in the spirit of recognition, justice and development.

It is also a unique opportunity to build on the International Year for People of African Descent, which was observed by the international community in 2011, and to further underline the important contribution made by people of African descent to our societies and to propose concrete measures to promote their full inclusion and to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The International Decade aims to celebrate the important contributions of people of African descent worldwide, advance social justice and inclusion policies, eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals spearheaded by the United Nations.

United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent
The official UN website for this International Decade. In proclaiming this Decade, the international community is recognizing that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected. Around 200 million people identifying themselves as being of African descent live in the Americas. Many millions more live in other parts of the world, outside of the African continent.
United Nations Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on its Mission to Canada
A PDF version of the Final Report presented to the International Human Rights Council. The report contains the findings of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on its visit to Canada from 17 to 21 October 2016. In it, the Working Group presents the current legal, institutional and policy framework, and measures taken to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, Afrophobia and related intolerance faced by people of African descent in Canada, underscoring positive developments as well as gaps in implementation. The Working Group describes the situation, highlights good practices and the main challenges identified, and makes concrete recommendations.

Count Us In: Nova Scotia’s Action Plan in Response to the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015–2024
This action plan, published in 2018, aims to reduce barriers, attitudinal and discriminatory practices African
Nova Scotians face, and bring Nova Scotians together in this endeavour. This will build a more
inclusive, welcoming, and equitable province with improved social well-being, population and
economic growth.

Canadian Human Rights Commission

The Canadian Human Rights Commission is Canada's human rights watchdog. Its works for the people of Canada and operates independently from the Government. The Commission helps ensure that everyone in Canada is treated fairly, no matter who they are. They are responsible for representing the public interest and holding the Government of Canada to account on matters related to human rights. It accepts and reviews claims of discrimination and refers them to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal if deemed necessary.

Canadian Human Rights Commission Website
Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) has a statutory mandate to apply the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) based on the evidence presented and on the case law. Created by Parliament in 1977, the Tribunal legally decides whether a person or organization has engaged in a discriminatory practice under the Act. The purpose of the CHRA is to protect individuals from discrimination. It states that all Canadians have the right to equality, equal opportunity, fair treatment, and an environment free of discrimination. The CHRT applies these principles to cases that are referred to it by the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). The Tribunal is similar to a court of law, but is less formal and only hears cases relating to discrimination.

Task Force on Access for Black and Native People, Dalhousie University

Breaking Barriers: Report of the Task Force on Access for Black and Native People by Task Force on Access for Black and Native People, Dalhousie University
Call Number: DAL Dunn Law Library KB 24 .C65 B822
Publication Date: 1989
The report led to the formation of the Indigenous Blacks & Mi'kmaq (IB&M) Initiative at the Schulich School of Law in 1989. The initiative was launched to increase representation of Indigenous Blacks and Mi'kmaq in the legal profession in order to reduce discrimination. An original copy is also available in the Dalhousie Archives.

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission has published a number of reports related to racism and other issues faced by people of colour in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Official website of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Street Checks Report
After visiting Nova Scotia in fall 2016, a United Nations working group raised serious concerns regarding ongoing systemic discrimination faced by people of African descent, including the practice of racial profiling in police street checks. In its published report, the working group stated that it is deeply concerned by the structural racism in many Canadian institutions and the systemic anti-black racism that continues to have a negative impact on the human rights situation of African-Canadians. In 2017, the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission announced it would collaborate with community and police to study the issue of street checks. Prof. Wortley was selected by the commission to review all available data, consult stakeholders and to provide a report with recommendations.
A Report on Consumer Racial Profiling in Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is proud to announce the release of a report on Consumer Racial Profiling in Nova Scotia. This report is the first report in Canada to address the issue of the experiences of customers and how they are treated by staff in retail and service establishments in Nova Scotia. More often than other ethnic groups in Nova Scotia, Aboriginal people and African Nova Scotians say they are treated poorly when they shop for goods and services. People from all racialized groups, including Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern people, reported being treated poorly by staff far more than white people. Racialized groups include people who are treated unequally because of their race, particularly in ways that matter to economic, political, and social life.