There are more calls for New Brunswick to hold a public inquiry into the deaths of three Indigenous people.
Hundreds of university professors, lawyers and others have signed a letter to Premier Blaine Higgs.
It says they’re “deeply concerned” about how the province’s legal and law enforcement systems treat Indigenous peoples.
The letter points to the deaths of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi, who were shot and killed by police in separate incidents in June.
It also references the acquittal of a man charged in the 2018 hit-and-run death of Brady Francis.
“These recent events have highlighted serious problems in the province’s justice system,” said the letter, dated July 20.
The letter says while systemic racism and discrimination exist across the country, the problems are “particularly acute” in New Brunswick.
“To restore trust in the justice system, faith in the sincerity and commitment of our government and to ensure transparency, an independent and impartial inquiry is needed,” said the letter.
“As the first step to realizing the necessary action required to bring change, the families of the victims, First Nations, New Brunswickers, and Canadians deserve nothing less.”
