'All Black Canadians can see themselves in the declaration': Symonds hopes historic document will start essential conversations
The co-chair of the National Black Canadians Summit says a declaration demanding justice and equality for Black Canadians will start essential conversations when the complete document is released.
The more-than-30-page Halifax Declaration calls on the federal government to recognize people of African descent as a distinct group within Canada, in addition to dozens of other calls to action.
“We believe once the declaration is fully completed and that document is distributed, that it's going to bring about more conversation for things that we need to happen,” said DeRico Symonds.
It also calls for the creation of media and museums to preserve Black history in Canada and a formal recognition of the harms done towards Black people at the hands of police, said Symonds.
The three-day national summit, which wrapped up July 31 in Halifax, saw over 1,200 attendees and featured guest speakers, workshops and panels focused on the Black experience in Canada.
Symonds says he and other organizers made the declaration as inclusive as possible to reflect a broad range of Black Canadians.
“We wanted to make sure there was no stone unturned and we wanted to do our best to include as many people — really all Black Canadians can see themselves in the declaration,” he said. “I’m very proud that it is inclusive and there were a lot of different folks behind it.”
Excerpts from the declaration were read during the National Black Canadians Summit, but work on the document is still underway. Once the declaration is released, Symonds says governments at all levels must work to address its calls to action.
He’s hopeful the document will be finalized in the coming months.
Correction
This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly stated that the summit ended on Aug. 31, instead of July 31.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.