Halifax appoints first Black police chief: Don MacLean
Halifax Regional Council approved the recommendation by the Board of Police Commissioners to appoint Don MacLean as the Acting Chief of Police. MacLean, who is currently Deputy Chief of Operations, assumes the position on Sept. 16 following the retirement of Chief Dan Kinsella on Sept. 15.
(Sept 12-28) Black Justice Strategy Community Engagement Sessions
Canada’s Black Justice Strategy Community Engagement Sessions – Hosted By ANSJI The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute is leading public engagement sessions across Nova Scotia to inform the development of […]
Open Letter – Anti-Black Racism at Public Prosecution Service (July 2023)
“The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute has serious concerns about systemic racism at the Public Prosecution Service. Our recent correspondence with government officials and PPS leadership have not left us with great confidence that our concerns are being heard and addressed. We are releasing the most recent correspondence to the public to initiate broader discussions on this problem to better educate all Nova Scotians about these concerns. “
Justice Institute alleges systemic racism at Nova Scotia’s Crown prosecutor’s office
Systemic racism plagues the Crown prosecutor’s office in Nova Scotia, and the office’s efforts to address the problem have only made the situation worse, say critics.
Robert Wright is the executive director of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute, an organization made up of Black lawyers and legal experts whose mandate is to support Black Nova Scotians in contact with the law and to address racism and overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.
In an open letter on behalf of the Justice Institute and in the interview with the Examiner, Wright said the institute’s correspondence with government officials and leadership at the Crown prosecutor’s office, formally known as the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), leaves them doubtful their concerns about systemic racism at the PPS are being heard and addressed.
African Nova Scotian Justice Institute to continue ‘invisible’ legal work with renewed funding
The man in charge of the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute says its legal work is largely “invisible,” but with renewed funding, it’s increasing its workload.
“Our role in shaping the law, and improving the law, and improving how the criminal justice system responds to and relates to Black people has already been substantial,” interim acting director Robert Wright said.
Social work student collecting data about Black mothers’ experiences with child welfare system
A social work student in New Brunswick wants to interview Black mothers in Nova Scotia who’ve been involved with child welfare servces and the Department of Community Services for child neglect within the past five years.
Renise Robichaud is working on her masters thesis at Université de Moncton. She said Black mothers are overrepresented in the child welfare system and the main issue is the Department of Community Services relies heavily on people reporting parents to the offices of child welfare, which accounts for the majority of the cases they receive.
Work at African Nova Scotian Justice Institute ‘something to celebrate’
The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute held a meet and greet Tuesday with representatives from a number of government departments and the African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition (ANSDPAD) to talk about the next steps in the institute’s work.
No More Excuses: Cecil Boutilier is trying to right his troubled past despite COVID and an overbearing parole system
Boutilier was on a hunger strike to draw attention to COVID rules, until he tested positive for the virus last week. Now, he says he’s advocating against obstacles put in his way of running his business.