NDP statement on Canada recognizing International Decade for People of African Descent

NDP Leader, Jagmeet Singh, made this statement following the government’s announcement to officially recognizing the International Decade for People of African descent:

“I’m pleased to see the government commit to taking this step towards recognizing the contributions of Black Canadians, and addressing ongoing inequalities they face.

However, Canada is three years late in recognizing this decade and as many activists, educators and leaders in Canada’s black communities have said, words are simply not enough. Not when the past decade has seen a 71% increase in the number of Black Canadians incarcerated in federal prisons.

I was proud to stand with Black Canadians in pushing for a ban on police carding in Ontario, a corrosive practice that must be banned on the federal level as well. New Democrats have also been at the forefront in calling for full pardons for personal possession of cannabis offences – which disproportionately penalize black youth – as soon as cannabis is legalized.

But the injustices faced by Black Canadians are not limited to the criminal justice system. Whether it is economic security, education, or health, Black Canadians are subject to disproportionately poorer outcomes. Black Canadians deserve more than late declarations and photo-ops, they deserve concrete action.

New Democrats will continue to propose real measures to end discriminatory policing practices and eliminate barriers to advancement, education and resources for Black Canadians.”