Black politicians in Atlantic Canada pledge to build trust in politics among racialized groups
A small group of Black politicians from Atlantic Canada promised Wednesday to do more to encourage racialized communities to overcome their distrust of the political system.
Five members of the Canadian Congress of Black Parliamentarians met in Halifax following a national meeting earlier this month in Ottawa involving 45 politicians of colour from all levels of government.
Congress co-founder Tony Ince, a Nova Scotia Liberal member of the legislature, told reporters on Wednesday the biggest challenge for politicians of colour is engaging with communities that don't have trust in the political system.
"Most of our communities are disengaged," said Ince, a former provincial cabinet minister.
"Most of our communities don't have faith in the political system ... so I think we need to lead by example."
Ince said the national meeting, which was held Aug. 9-11, left him feeling positive because participants were tasked with the mission of returning home to "inform and educate" constituents about their roles as political representatives.
"Not just the Black population but all (people)," he said. "Until we do better and get out there and engage with people and show them that they have a voice, we are going to continue to see this disengagement."
The group also said it's committed to ensuring that legislation at all levels of government reflects the issues of concern in racialized communities. Those issues include access to housing, equity in health care and education, and opportunities for economic development, the politicians said.
Liberal Gord McNeilly, the first Black person elected to the P.E.I. legislature, said it is important to work to address policy gaps in areas such as health care, where doctors need more education and support to address diseases like sickle cell anemia, which predominantly affects people of colour.
A similar focus is needed to address housing shortages, which are "massive" in his province and which "disproportionately affect people of colour," he said.
"We can't talk about diversity and not do the things around supporting the growth of a diverse community," said McNeilly. "It takes planning at a government level and to this point the planning has been poor, at least in my province."
The politicians also noted the importance of diverse representation in government and said they are conscious of their own status as role models.
Suzy Hansen, an NDP member of the Nova Scotia legislature, said she hopes to inspire other people of colour to run for political office.
"It is not an easy job, it is quite challenging, but the reward is that you are helping folks," Hansen said.
The two other members at the Halifax meeting were Nova Scotia Liberal legislature member Ali Duale, who fled Somalia's civil war in 1991, and Iona Stoddard, who is the first Black woman elected to Halifax Regional Council.
Stoddard said she's aware of the significance of her position.
"The rewarding aspect of being the first is that I'm able to give a hand up to the next person of colour, or Black (person), that would choose to run for municipal, provincial or federal positions," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2023.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians feel grocery inflation getting worse, two in five boycotting Loblaw: poll
Almost two-thirds of Canadians feel that inflation at the grocery store is getting worse, a new poll suggests, even as food inflation has been steadily cooling.
NEW How to remove ticks and what to know about these bloodsuckers
Ticks are parasitic bloodsuckers, capable of spreading deadly disease, and they’re becoming increasingly common. Here’s what you need to know about them.
opinion Joe Biden uses bully pulpit to bully Donald Trump on debates
Donald Trump had spent weeks needling U.S. President Joe Biden for his refusal to commit to a debate. But Washington political columnist Eric Ham describes how in one fell swoop, Biden ingeniously stole the issue from the Trump campaign and made it his own.
Norway, Ireland and Spain say they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move
Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic but largely symbolic move that deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its grinding war against Hamas in Gaza.
Ontario mother loses $2,500 to text scammer pretending to be daughter
An Ontario mother lost $2,500 to a scammer pretending to be her daughter asking for help in late April.
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.