Premier Stephen McNeil (Gov't of NS photo)
In what was dubbed a ‘public safety announcement’, the Nova Scotia government on Tuesday announced a ‘restorative process’ to overhaul public safety and policing in the province.
Premier Stephen McNeil, Justice Minister Mark Furey, and Minster of African Nova Scotian Affairs Tony Ince, who noted that we’re in the midst of a very important moment.
Ince credits discussion and debate surrounding systemic racism, discrimination and injustice toward people of colour for finally pushing the issue to the forefront.
“Decision-makers, in all institutions including law enforcement, can no longer ignore what is broken, what is not fair, and what is discriminatory.”
Before getting to the details, McNeil took time to apologize for the systemic racism that has marked the province’s justice system as a whole.
“Our system of justice has failed members of our Black and Indigenous communities,” he said. “This system is supposed to keep all Nova Scotians safe, but because of the colour of your skin, many of you live in fear. Today, I say: enough.”
“I see you, I hear you, I believe you and I am sorry,” he continued.
“On behalf of my ministers, my caucus, our government, we are sorry racist institutions have failed you, your families and your ancestors. I can’t take away your pain or bring back the opportunities and lives lost. But I am showing up today to try to work with all of you to find a new approach to public safety.”
He says the time for diagnosing the problem has passed, and now it’s time for change.
“This will require new ways of doing things, and it starts with a commitment across systems and services,” he said. “All levels of government will work with communities for change.”
A ‘design team’ made up of members of community, government and policing will gather feedback from stakeholders in the first phase of the process.
The team will be co-facilitated by Jacob MacIssac and Jennifer Llewellyn.
Members of the team represent government, academia and those who have ties to African Nova Scotian or Mi’kmaw communities.
Other vulnerable and marginalized groups also have representation.
The rest of the province’s design team:
Julia Cecchetto
Richard Derible
Jean Flynn
Winnie Grant
Emma Halpern
Wayn Hamilton
Crystal John
Jennifer Llewellyn
Kate MacDonald
Stephanie MacInnis-Langley
Jacob MacIsaac
Paula Marshall
Shelly Martin
Martin Morrison
Craig Smith
Dean Smith
Lindell Smith
Tony Smith
Tracey Taweel
Candace Thomas
Shakira Weatherdon
The team’s initial mandate has a 12 to 18-month long timeline.
The feedback collected will be used to change the role and approach to policing and law enforcement in Nova Scotia, as well as how the province approaches public safety.
