To inform an apology the Nova Scotia RCMP will be making to African Nova Scotians and all people of African descent for the harm caused by the historical use of street checks and for other interactions that've had a negative impact on the community, community consultation sessions are being held across the province; the first took place last night in Gibson Woods.
"I know this apology is long overdue. And I acknowledge a lot of work needs to be done to start to rebuild the fractured relationship with the community,
" says Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP. "That's why it's especially important we hear from those who will be affected by the apology; we need to get the apology right and pursue systemic change.
"
The 14 consultations, which were recommended by a steering committee struck to move the apology work forward, are being organized in African Nova Scotian communities. The sessions, which will also inform an action plan that will follow the apology, are being hosted by local residents and attended by members of the Nova Scotia RCMP's senior leadership team.
"To ensure the upcoming apology – and the actions that follow – are meaningful, I've established a steering committee to provide guidance and support,
" says Assistant Commissioner Daley. "The members' expertise and leadership will help us reconcile with the Black community, with the hope of building back trust.
"
In addition to RCMP employees, the committee's membership is comprised of community leaders, including:
- Rev. Dr. Lennett Anderson
- Elizabeth Cooke-Sumbu
- Andrea Davis
- Louise Delisle
- Vanessa Fells
- Alexander Fraser
- Rose Fraser
- Craig Gibson
- Russell Grosse
- Deacon Catherine Hartling
- DeRico Symonds
"Nova Scotia is steeped in a remarkable Black history that spans many centuries; it's through this lens that we've begun the process of collaboration with senior RCMP leadership to help build a meaningful response to the practice of street checks and the development of an action plan,
" says steering committee member Rev. Dr. Lennett Anderson. "We as Community understand the contention surrounding the issue and play a dual role in this work.
"
The apology and subsequent action plan will be drafted when the community consultations conclude in November; it's expected the apology will be delivered in 2024.
Video
Consultations in African Nova Scotian communities - Video description
[Rev. Dr. Lennett J. Anderson is standing in the front of his church. He's speaking directly to the camera as piano music plays softly in the background]
Greetings, friends, family and fellow members of the African Nova Scotian Communities and People of African descent living in Nova Scotia.
My name is Rev. Dr. Lennett J. Anderson and I am pleased to be a part of a steering committee put in place by the Nova Scotia RCMP and the community members from across the province to address the issue of street checks in our province.
Nova Scotia is steeped in a remarkable Black history that spans many centuries. It is through this lens that we have begun the process of collaboration with senior RCMP leadership to help build a meaningful response to the practice of street checks and the development of an Action Plan that with your input will address the issue and more.
We as Community understand the contention surrounding the issue and play a dual role in this work.
Today we continue our journey with the RCMP as this process begins to unfold in various communities over the coming months.
[Music fades out. Image fades to drone shot; the drone flies by flag poles at Nova Scotia RCMP headquarters, capturing the African Nova Scotian flag, the RCMP Nova Scotia regimental flag, the flag of Nova Scotia, and the Canadian flag]
[A/Comm. Dennis Daley is speaking directly to the camera. He's flanked by steering committee members as piano music plays softly in the background]
Hello, I'm Dennis Daley, Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP.
I'll soon be apologizing to members of the African Nova Scotian communities, all people of African descent living in Nova Scotia, for the harm caused by our historical use of street checks, and for other interactions that have had a negative impact on the people we serve.
[Series of shots of committee members sitting around a boardroom table and actively engaged in discussion]
I know this apology is long overdue. And I acknowledge a lot of work needs to be done to start to rebuild the fractured relationship with the community.
That's why it's especially important we get the apology right.
To help correct our historic wrongs, I've established a steering committee of community leaders for guidance on our way forward; some of the community members are here with me today.
[A/Comm. Dennis Daley is speaking directly to the camera, flanked by steering committee members]
To make our apology and subsequent action plan meaningful to you, your families and friends, we want - and we need - to hear from you on our approach, as well as from others who are intimately connected to the African Nova Scotian communities.
Over the summer and fall, I'll be holding community consultation sessions, supported by the steering committee, across the province. In the next several months, I'll be visiting communities in southwestern Nova Scotia, northeastern Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and the Halifax area.
I hope you'll consider giving us your feedback on the upcoming apology - it would be very helpful and very much appreciated.
I'm committed to ensuring that the Nova Scotia RCMP does a better job of addressing systemic racism both inside and outside the organization. Our apology is the first step.
[Video dissolves to text on screen: "Royal Canadian Mounted Police / Gendarmerie royale du Canada © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2023."]