New Brunswick will establish an anti-racism office within the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to address systemic racism and implement recommendations from the commissioner on systemic racism’s final report.
The province becomes the fifth Canadian jurisdiction to create such an office. The office will focus on policy changes, challenging discriminatory practices, and working with communities and affected groups to remove barriers.
“Racism has no place in New Brunswick,” said Jean-Claude D’Amours, post-secondary education and training minister. “We all have a role to play in creating a province that is inclusive, welcoming and free of hate. Dismantling all forms of racism will take a sustained, multi-generational effort, and we are proud to present how government intends to lead this change across the province.”
Most recommendations underway or planned
Work has begun or been completed on 59 per cent of the commissioner’s 86 recommendations. The government has identified another 19 per cent of recommendations to be initiated.
The province launched a website to track progress on implementing the recommendations. The anti-racism office will monitor implementation and provide regular status updates online.
“We’re proud to be fulfilling our commitment to respond to this report and of the progress being made,” said D’Amours. “We know more work lies ahead. We recognize that not all recommendations can be addressed immediately, but we will continue collaborating with partners like the New Brunswick Multicultural Council and the cultural community to identify opportunities for further improvements.”
Community partners support initiative
The New Brunswick Multicultural Council welcomed the announcement.
“The establishment of an anti-racism office is a significant step for New Brunswick,” said Ben McNamara, executive director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council. “As the report of the commissioner on systemic racism made clear, we need leadership at a senior level with the power to oversee the dismantling of systemic racism. We stand ready to work alongside this office and the government of New Brunswick to ensure the recommendations from the report translate into meaningful action for all New Brunswickers.”
The government will hold further dialogue with First Nations leadership to address the experiences and concerns of Indigenous Peoples.
