Prime minister speaks of ‘systemic racism’ in kick-off of Black History Month

February is Black History Month in Canada, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement inviting all Canadians to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and to reflect on their contributions to the country. 

“Black people have helped shape our history and collective identity, and stood proud as leaders in communities across the country,” said Trudeau in a statement. “Despite all this, systemic anti-Black racism still exists in Canada, and has undermined the livelihoods of Black Canadians and caused deep pain. Many in our communities continue to face discrimination, hate, and a lack of opportunity and resources every day. This needs to stop.”

Anti-Black racism must stop, says Canada’s prime minister. (iStock)
First Black female legislator pressed for Black History Month

Trudeau noted that it was 25 years ago that Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons, introduced a motion to officially mark every February as Black History Month. The year 2021 is also the 75th anniversary of Viola Demond’s resistance to racial segregation and her fight against injustice in the eastern province of Nova Scotia, which was home to a large Black population.

Waves of Black migration to Canada

Between 1765 and 1783, Americans fought for independence from Great Britain, but there were settlers who remained loyal to Britain who fled to what would become Canada. Some of these loyalists brought about 2,000 Black slaves with them and an additional 3,500 Blacks who had won freedom through their loyalty to Britain emigrated as well. Many of them settled in Nova Scotia and the neighbouring province of New Brunswick. 

In that same period of time, many Blacks came to Canada to flee slavery in the United States. The biggest source of Black immigrants to Canada was the U.S. until the 1960s when people began arriving from the West Indies. The number of Blacks arriving from Africa has steadily increased since 1981. Between 2011 and 2016, 65 per cent came from Africa and 27 per cent from the Caribbean and Bermuda. 

The 2016 census shows there were 1.198 million Blacks in Canada accounting for 3.5 per cent of Canada’s total population. 

Prime minister refers to Black anger, heartbreak, frustration

There are many events taking place across the country to mark Black History Month. Because of the pandemic, many will take place online. Trudeau noted the theme for 2021 is The Future is Now and he highlighted the importance of learning about Black experiences, injustices and building back better together. He invited all Canadians to take part in online events.

“This is…an opportunity to highlight the incredible impact of young Black change makers who took to the streets last year and continue to fight to make a difference,” said the prime minister. “We felt their anger, heartbreak, and frustration, and heard their calls for accountability, justice, and equality. With the pandemic further highlighting social, health, and economic disparities for racialized Canadians, religious minorities, and Indigenous peoples, we know we must act now to address these complex and long-standing issues.”istoc

Trudeau listed efforts the government has made to address the issues including a Black Entrepreneurship Program and an official Anti-Racism Strategy

37 Replies to “Prime minister speaks of ‘systemic racism’ in kick-off of Black History Month”

  1. Trudeau stated that 25 years ago, Jean Augustine, Canada’s first Black woman MP, sponsored a motion to officially recognize Black History Month in February.

  2. Every single concept is wonderful. The first African female MP in Canada, Jean Augustine, spearheaded a proposal to honor Black Heritage.

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  4. Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian MP, proposed honoring Black Heritage.

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  8. Car Games says:

    In his speech kicking off Black History Month, the Prime Minister acknowledged the existence of ‘systemic racism’ within society. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing this issue in order to create a more inclusive and equal society for all.

    The Prime Minister recognized the contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, highlighting their significant role in shaping the nation. He also stressed the need to learn from the past to build a better future, ensuring that the experiences and struggles of Black communities are not forgotten.

    Furthermore, the Prime Minister expressed his commitment to combatting systemic racism and discrimination in all its forms. He pledged to implement policies that promote diversity, equality, and social justice within society. He also recognized the importance of educating the public about Black history and culture to foster understanding and unity.

    The Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of systemic racism during the launch of Black History Month is seen as a significant step towards addressing this issue at a national level. It underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all Canadians.

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  31. It’s encouraging to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledging the importance of Black History Month and urging Canadians to reflect on the significant contributions of Black Canadians to our nation’s history and identity. His recognition of the ongoing struggle against systemic anti-Black racism is a reminder that despite progress, there is still much work to be done to address discrimination and inequality in our society. It’s crucial that we continue to listen to and amplify the voices of Black communities, and take meaningful action to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable Canada for all.

  32. It’s encouraging to see Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledging the importance of Black History Month and urging Canadians to reflect on the significant contributions of Black Canadians to our nation’s history and identity. His recognition of the ongoing struggle against systemic anti-Black racism is a reminder that despite progress, there is still much work to be done to address discrimination and inequality in our society. It’s crucial that we continue to listen to and amplify the voices of Black communities, and take meaningful action to dismantle systemic barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable Canada for all.

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