Advocates representing Black Canadians have criticized the Carney administration for establishing an inclusivity council that lacks Black representation. This move has sparked concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing discrimination.
During a virtual news conference on Parliament Hill, former MP Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons, expressed frustration over the exclusion of Black individuals from the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion launched by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The council, announced in February, was initially focused on combatting hate against Muslims, Jews, and Indigenous Peoples, without acknowledging anti-Black racism.
Amnesty International’s spokesperson for English-speaking Canada, Ketty Nivyabandi, described the omission of Black voices as a significant oversight, suggesting a lack of priority in tackling racism compared to the previous administration under Justin Trudeau. Nivyabandi emphasized the importance of including Black and African Canadians in the council to ensure credibility and address systemic inequities effectively.
Responding to inquiries about the absence of Black representation, a spokesperson for Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller stated that the council’s composition is still in progress and will encompass various forms of discrimination, including anti-Black racism. The spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to support the Black community and mentioned that additional council members will be announced in the coming weeks.
Nicholas Marcus Thompson, co-chair of the National Employment Equity Council, proposed that the council report directly to Parliament rather than a federal minister and have greater independence. Thompson expressed concerns about the government’s apparent indifference towards equity issues and the lack of emphasis on addressing racial disparities.
Critics also pointed out the government’s failure to acknowledge anti-Black racism in the council’s launch, which replaces previous envoys dedicated to combating Islamophobia and antisemitism.