Election goodie or long overdue assistance to Canada’s vibrant black communities?

BY STEPHEN WEIR

Election Goodie? Or was it the start of something long overdue for the black communities of Canada?  On Tuesday, August 27^th, 2019, community leaders came out in force to a media conference at the Different Booklist Store and Cultural Centre on Bathurst Street to listen to Liberal MP Adam Vaughan talk about change.

The MP for the Spadina Fort York riding in downtown Toronto was there on behalf of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. He took to the podium to announce a new Federal government programme specifically targeted to help black Canadians.

The few media that covered the impromptu press conference and community leaders learned that the Federal Government has budgeted $25 million over the next five years for projects and capital assistance to Canada’s vibrant black Canadian communities.

In recognition of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, the Federal government has adding this extra money to Canada’s annual budget. While there is money to start the programmes right now, it is an election year, which means that any ongoing monetary support of the project is very much dependent on which party wins the fall election.

“Our government is committed to fostering and promoting a Canada where every person is able to fully and equally participate in our country’s economic, cultural, social and political life,” said MP Vaughan. “The initiatives announced today are a step in the right direction towards ensuring that we celebrate, share knowledge and build capacity in the black Canadian communities across the country.”

According to Mr. Vaughan, the government is committed to advancing diversity and taking positive measures to ensure all Canadians have a fair and equal chance at success. “The government of Canada is supporting initiatives that recognize the contributions of black Canadians and acknowledge the significant and unique challenges in their communities.”

This government’s largesse will help stakeholders to create the first national institute for black Canadians. The Canadian Institute for People of African Descent will work to advance initiatives that impact the community at a systemic level.

“I found it a very interesting media conference” said community activist Louis March (zerogunviolence.movement) minutes after the media event ended. “He (Adam Vaughan) took questions from the audience. I asked him if the province and the city would be involved. Adam answered no, at least not for now.”

According to briefing notes provided after Tuesday’s announcement, the decision to create a black national institute comes out of a series of meetings held with almost 40 stakeholder organizations within Canada’s black communities. Groups that took part in those sessions said they support the creation of a national institute dedicated to looking at issues that affect their communities.