Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
In 2025 the federal government announced a 10-year plan to implement recommendations in the Black Justice Strategy. Aimed at reducing systemic racism and the over-representation of Black communities in the justice system, the strategy includes 114 recommendations covering areas such as policing, courts, corrections and social supports.
On February 25 The Globe and Mail hosted a webcast to bring community and government leaders together to discuss how and when the recommendations will be implemented, along with strategies to support effective communication, engagement and accountability.
Missed the live event or would like to view it again? Scroll down to the video player below to watch the full discussion in English or French.
Ian Bailey, staff reporter, Ottawa Bureau, with The Globe and Mail moderated and hosted the webcast. Juanita Peters, executive director of the Africville Museum spoke at the start of the webcast to provide context and framing of the conversation.
Following remarks by Mohammed Hashim, CEO and executive director of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, Mr. Bailey moderated a panel discussion focused on strategies to ensure implementation of the Black Justice Strategy moves forward with the necessary funding, political will and community engagement. The panel included:
- Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, associate professor with the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto (and co-author and co-chair of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy).
- Ruth Goba, executive director of The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
- Martine St-Louis, director of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy in the policy sector with the Department of Justice.
Following the panel discussion, Fatma Hassan, director of the Foundation for Black Communities; and Craig Wellington, CEO of the Black Opportunity Fund, provided summary remarks and reflections, along with calls to action to see implementation of the Black Justice Strategy move forward with the required resources and certainty.
Ms. Peters and Mr. Bailey returned to the screen to close the discussion.
View the full discussion (1.5 hours) below
The Globe and Mail presented the event in partnership with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, The Black Opportunity Fund, and the Foundation for Black Communities.
The webcast was part of a series of national dialogues (Finding Common Ground) focused on addressing hate, racism and discrimination in Canada. Links to previous events are below:
Calgary: Addressing Systemic Racism in Canada - Policy opportunities (November 27, 2025, Calgary)
Webcast: Supporting First Nations Led Policing (June 5, 2025)
Webcast: Addressing Hate Crimes in Canada (February 28, 2025)
Montreal: Addressing Hate and Racism in Canada (November 19, 2024)
To learn about upcoming Globe and Mail events please visit www.globeandmail.com/events