Ending racism in Canada requires massive policy changes, advocates say

OTTAWA – At least one organization representing the black community in Canada says there will have to be some big changes if the federal government is serious about boosting efforts to battle racism in our country.

Evelyn Myrie, president of the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association, says she’s encouraged by promises she’s been hearing from federal party leaders. She notes this government has already launched a strategy to stamp out racism, paired with tens of millions of dollars in community supports.

However, she says it’s not nearly enough.

“We’re looking for supports that are sustainable,” Myrie tells CityNews, adding this can’t just be a “flavour of the month” issue.

If the government is serious about this, she notes there need to be major changes to tackle the systemic racism that still holds minorities back in Canada.

“We need to deconstruct our systems, the systems of oppression — we’ll call it implicit bias,” she explains.

Myrie adds barriers need to be torn down through hard measures like ending racial profiling by police, and addressing racialized poverty through ideas like a guaranteed income.

“How do we make sure that there’s an adequate income? A lot of Indigenous community members as well as African Canadians are feeling the brunt of this economic apartheid, really.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to take more concrete action to address racism and discrimination, but has not revealed what exactly his government will do.

Related video: Much more needs to be done to combat anti-black racism in Canada, says Trudeau

-With files from CityNews

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