February marks Black History Month in Canada, a time when we seek to recognize, celebrate, and amplify the voices of Black Canadians. Today and every day, we are reminded of the profound impact that Black Canadians have had, and continue to have, in shaping Canada’s cultural, social, and political landscapes. We also seek to honour the history of Black resistance to white supremacy and the transformative power of community organizing that continues today.
We invite you to check out the events and actions below to celebrate Black History Month and support Black Canadians’ efforts to advocate for long-term solutions that address systemic racism and discrimination
SUPPORT THE BLACK CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
After experiencing anti-Black racism within the Public Service of Canada, Black workers are pursuing justice in the courts through a proposed class action. The claim is brought on behalf of current and former workers and job applicants who allege they were excluded from hiring and promotion opportunities throughout the Public Service because of systemic discrimination.
The Black Class Action is seeking compensation for discrimination, the implementation of a Justice and Equity Promotional Plan for the hiring and promotion of Black employees, and the implementation of a mental health fund to support people dealing with the devastating effects of discrimination.
HONOUR NELL TOUSSAINT’S LEGACY
On January 9, 2023, the international human rights movement lost a groundbreaking human rights defender and champion, Nell Toussaint. Ms. Toussaint fought courageously for equal access to essential health care for people with irregular immigration status in Canada, herself having been denied access to public health benefits due to her irregular migrant status, placing her life at risk and leading to serious long-term health consequences. When the Canadian justice system failed to recognize her claim to the right to life and non-discrimination under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Ms. Toussaint successfully brought her case to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee, achieving a precedent-setting decision in 2018 that the right to life under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) covers “essential health care to prevent a reasonably foreseeable risk that can result in loss of life.”
Unconscionably, Canada stated that it disagreed with the Human Rights Committee’s views and would not implement its decision. Canada refuses to ensure access to essential health care to people with irregular immigration status and has now, tragically, denied Ms. Toussaint justice in her lifetime. The Canadian government has maintained this position despite its international legal duty to implement treaties in good faith, including the Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, which Canada voluntarily ratified to give the UN Human Rights Committee jurisdiction to hear individual cases like Ms. Toussaint’s.
BOOK CLUB | THE SLEEPING CAR PORTER BY SUZETTE MAYR
The Sleeping Car Porter by Canadian author Suzette Mayr is a historical novel set in the early 20th century, a period of significant importance in the context of Black Canadian history and the labour rights movement. This era saw the growth of the civil rights movement, challenges to systemic racism, and the emergence of unions. Watch Amnesty’s Book Club interview with Suzette Mayr and download Amnesty Book Club’s Discussion Guide to spark thoughtful discussions and reflection on the struggles and achievements of Black Canadians throughout history and today.
WATCH | BLACK LIFE: UNTOLD STORIES DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Black Life: Untold Stories, Image by CBC Gem
Watch Black Life: Untold Stories, an eight-part documentary series on CBC Gem that retells the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada to correct centuries of erasure, racism and misrepresentations.
