Advocates are intensifying their calls for the federal government's newly formed Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to explicitly include anti-Black racism in its mandate. The demand comes days after retired judge Corrine Sparks was appointed as the council's first Black member.
Council's First Black Member Appointed
Corrine Sparks, a descendant of early Black settlers in Nova Scotia and the first Black woman to become a judge in Canada, joined the council on June 30. Her appointment followed criticism that the initial council announcement included no Black representation. Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons, emphasized that naming anti-Black racism is essential. “We know we have to name anti-Black racism because that is really the daily lives of people like myself and others in Canadian society, and so the work of the council must include that,” she told the Ottawa Citizen.
Advocates Demand Clear Mandate
Nicholas Marcus Thompson, co-chair of the National Employment Equity Council, welcomed Sparks' appointment but insisted on a clear mandate. “We've called for it to be stated from the get-go to ensure that the council has a clear direction on what the government of Canada wants to address, particularly with the long history of anti-Black racism in Canada,” Thompson said. He stressed that without explicit language, the council risks lacking focus on systemic issues.
Concerns Over Council Structure and Independence
Some advocates question whether the council's structure will limit its effectiveness. Howard Sapers, executive director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, expressed concerns about both the “structure” and “intent” of the council. He noted that the government previously cancelled two special envoys on combatting Islamophobia and anti-Semitism before announcing the new council. Sapers argued that the council reports to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture rather than Parliament, potentially curbing its independence. “If it still reports to the minister and not to parliament, if it's still fettered in its independence in terms of what it can say publicly about its findings and conclusions and recommendations, then you've got a structural problem, and it sounds like the incentive was about trying to control the narrative,” Sapers said.
Government Response
In a statement, Alisson Lévesque, director of communications for Heritage Minister Marc Miller, said the council has a clear mandate to bring Canadians together and guide efforts to combat racism and hate in all forms. “This includes addressing the distinct and persistent challenges posed by anti-Black racism in our communities and institutions. As outlined in Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy and Canada's Action Plan on Combatting Hate,” the statement read. The government maintains that the council's work will encompass anti-Black racism, but advocates argue that explicit mention is necessary to ensure focused action.
