Nova Scotia's Black communities meet with RCMP ahead of apology
People gathered in Upper Hammonds Plains Thursday night ahead of the RCMP’s apology to Nova Scotia’s Black communities for its historical use of street checks and other harms.
The discussion, which took place behind closed doors, was described as being open and honest.
“I heard stories of trauma, stories of dehumanization, I heard a cry from the community for recognition of wrongdoing of historic anti-black racism,” said Késa Munroe-Anderson.
“I hear a lot of harm. I hear a lot of impact. I hear the need to do better,” said Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, the commanding officer of Nova Scotia’s RCMP.
Thursday’s meeting was the second of 14, as RCMP prepare to apologize to Nova Scotia’s Black communities for the force’s historical use of street checks and other injustices. An action report will follow the apology.
“I really think that it’s made a difference to be able to have that interaction with each other,” said Iona Stoddard, HRM Councilor for District 12
Community members said they were asked what they want to hear when RCMP say sorry. They were also asked where it should happen, who should be there and what should be included in the RCMP’s action report.
“What would make it important for us. What would make it feel genuine,” said Curtis Whiley, describing the questions from the discussion.
Whiley thinks the timing of the apology needs to be explained. Nearly five-years-ago a Wortley report found Black people were disproportionately stopped by police. Halifax Regional Police apologized but Mounties did not.
“So why is that happening now? That was a question, and what is the motivation for that?” said Whiley.
An apology may help bridge a fractured relationship but people at the community consultation expressed they want the apology to be reinforced with concrete action.
“I believe a proper apology and action report would look like change. We would have to see positive change,” said Munroe-Anderson. “It would have to come from a lens of equity and anti-racism and decolonization and only the African Nova Scotian community would be able to answer the question at the end of the day, so a number of years from the apology, was that a sincere apology based on a change?”
Whiley noted the community also recommended RCMP undergo cultural competency training that’s mandatory.
Cynthia Jordan, another community member in attendance, said people want there to be resources available to African Nova Scotians who were actually impacted.
“Other ideas were around recruitment and retention of African Nova Scotians within RCMP,” Jordan said.
Nova Scotia’s top Mountie says he’s listening.
“I come to these with open ears and I really do and I open up you know with some sincerity to say this is long overdue. I want to make it meaningful,” said assistant commissioner Daley.
For the latest Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting
During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News.
Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women
A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women.
Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
Bob Bryar, drummer for rock band My Chemical Romance, dead at 44
Bob Bryar, former drummer for the band My Chemical Romance, has died. He was reportedly 44.
Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine U.S. dollar
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
'Disappointing': Toronto speed camera cut down less than 24 hours after being reinstalled
A Toronto speed camera notorious for issuing tens of thousands of tickets to drivers has been cut down again less than 24 hours after it was reinstalled.
Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art
Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits.
Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there
While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period.