Community-led Nova Scotia RCMP action plan
Nova Scotia RCMP’s action plan following the apology to African Nova Scotians and all people of African Descent for the historic use of street checks and other interactions that have had a negative impact
Prepared by Corporal Erin Dillon
RCMP H Division Community, Indigenous and Diversity Policing Services
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African Nova Scotian communities
The Black Loyalists first came to Mi’Kma’ki in the late 1700s, near the end of the American Revolution, and settled in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Slavery was still legal in the province and was not abolished until the mid-1800s. The Black Loyalists were not given the land that was promised to them by the British and much of the land that was handed over was completely unsuitable for the needs of the day.
Black Loyalists, Trelawney Maroons from Jamaica, Black Chesapeake Bay refugees, and hundreds of Caribbean immigrants continued to settle throughout the province, establishing Nova Scotia’s 52 historic Black communities. – Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
As the province and its systems evolved, African Nova Scotian footnote 1 communities were not afforded the same services and opportunities as others. The destruction of Africville, the arrest of Viola Desmond for refusing to leave a Whites-only section of the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, lack of access to education, and the absence of basic services, are just a few examples that led to the systematic oppression that still exists in Nova Scotia.
The province is rich in Black history, Black culture, and the resilience of African Nova Scotians. The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, which opened in September 1983, protects, preserves, and promotes this heritage. Further, the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre, in Shelburne, “tells the story of the world’s largest free African population outside of Africa, in the late 18th century in Nova Scotia.” – Black Loyalist Heritage Centre
Our goals
- Deliver a meaningful apology to African Nova Scotians and all people of African Descent for the historical use of street checks and other harmful interactions
- Build trust and positive relationships with the Black community in Nova Scotia
- Continue to address systemic racism within the RCMP
Apology background
In 2019, Dr. Scot Wortley released, Halifax, Nova Scotia: Street Checks Report, which found that in the Halifax region, people of African Descent were six times more likely to be street checked. The Nova Scotia RCMP did not apologize for these findings at the time.
In September 2023, the Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP, Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley, indicated that he would apologize to African Nova Scotians and all people of African Descent for the harm caused by the historical use of street checks and other interactions that have had a negative impact on the community.
“This apology is long overdue,” said Assistant Commissioner Daley. “In my opinion, there’s no valid reason why an apology has not been issued before; we’ve disrespected the community.”
To inform the apology and action plan, Assistant Commissioner Daley formed a steering committee consisting of African Nova Scotian community members from across Nova Scotia, and a number of consultations were held in African Nova Scotian communities across the province.
In September 2024, Assistant Commissioner Daley delivered the apology and this action plan.
Consultation efforts
- Steering committee consultations
- Assistant Commissioner Daley met regularly with the steering committee
- Community consultations
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Between September 2023 and January 2024, Assistant Commissioner Daley and local detachment members were welcomed into 13 African Nova Scotian communities across the province to discuss the upcoming apology and action plan
- Community members, or a member of the steering committee, co-facilitated the consultations, with an emphasis on the RCMP being there to listen
- The Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) attended the consultations to take notes and provide support to community members who attended
- For those who couldn’t attend the consultations, community input was sought through an electronic survey promoted on the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia’s Facebook page
- A summary of the community consultations was prepared using the ABSW’s notes and posted on the Nova Scotia RCMP’s website
- Organizational consultations
- In the summer of 2024, Assistant Commissioner Daley presented the preliminary action plan to a variety of organizations associated with the Black community in Nova Scotia
Apology to African Nova Scotians and all people of African Descent: Path to the apology and action plan
Text version
Background
- In 2019, Dr. Scot Wortley released, Halifax, Nova Scotia: Street Checks Report, which found people of African descent were six times more likely to be street checked.
- In September 2023, the Commanding Officer of the Nova Scotia RCMP said he will apologize to African Nova Scotians and all people of African descent for the harm caused by the historical use of street checks and other interactions that have had a negative impact on the community. The apology will be followed by an action plan.
- To inform the apology and action plan, the Commanding Officer struck a steering committee and consultations were held in African Nova Scotian communities across the province.
Steering committee
- Community volunteers
- 11
- Meetings (so far)
- 9
What we heard
At each community consultation, five questions were asked. The communities’ feedback, as verified by the Association of Black Social Workers, is summarized below.
- Where should the apology be delivered?
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- Via a platform that makes the apology accessible to all
- Where those most affected by street checks live
- In a historical African Nova Scotian community
- What would make the RCMP’s apology meaningful to you?
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It needs to:
- Be sincere
- Be accountable by acknowledging the harm, the delay in apologizing, and a commitment to do better
- Be action-oriented
- Incorporate historical/educational components
- Involve youth
- What specific words or phrases need to be included in the apology
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- I’m sorry
- Words/phrases that:
- Take full responsibility for the harm done
- Acknowledge systemic racism
- What would make the RCMP’s action plan that follows the apology meaningful to you?
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- The inclusion of mandatory training (for example, history of African Nova Scotian communities; anti-Black racism)
- A commitment to diversity and how it’s incorporated into the hiring/promotion processes
- Clarity around how racism complaints are/ will be handled
- Ways for more involvement by police officers in Black communities (for example, via town halls and visits to schools, community centres, churches, etc.)
- Accountability (for example, via data collection)
- What local organizations/affiliations should officially be invited to the apology?
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- Individuals/communities most impacted by street checks
- Representatives of the justice/education systems
- Organizations/groups affiliated with the Black community
- Media
Community consultations
- Amherst
- Beechville
- Digby
- Gibson Woods
- Halifax
- New Glasgow
- Preston Township
- Shelburne
- Truro
- Upper Big Tracadie
- Upper Hammonds Plains
- Whitney Pier
- Yarmouth
- Communities visited
- 13
- Participation
- 242 community members
- Co-facilitated by
- Community hosts and RCMP employees
- Notetaking by
- Association of Black Social Workers
Next steps
- Review the preliminary action plan with community organizations
- Deliver apology in September 2024
Action plan
While compiling the input from community consultations for this three-year action plan, it was clear that the following themes emerged: education; community involvement; diversity within the RCMP; data collection; and transparency.
Community members noted:
- Education on African Nova Scotian history and anti-Black racism should be required for RCMP employees working in Nova Scotia
- Ongoing RCMP community involvement within Black communities across the province is a priority
- The need to increase, retain, and develop the number of African Nova Scotians and racialized employees within the RCMP
- Race-based data collection is required for transparency and accountability for all RCMP actions
- Reporting on this action plan must be ongoing
Action on these themes resulted in five overarching objectives, which are outlined below.
Objective 1: Increase cultural awareness and education of Nova Scotia RCMP employees specific to African Nova Scotian communities and all people of African Descent.
- Action: To achieve this objective, our goals are to:
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- Host a minimum of three African Canadian Experience (ACE) workshops for Nova Scotia RCMP employees per year, with priority given to supervisors; this will result in ~60 employees taking ACE annually
- Make ACE a mandatory workshop for supervisors and other senior RCMP leaders within 12 months of them taking on their role
- Increase compliance rates for the following mandatory online learning courses:
- Cultural Awareness and Humility
- United Against Racism
Objective 2: Ensure RCMP community involvement within African Nova Scotian communities throughout the province.
- Action: To achieve this objective, our goals are to:
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- Ensure Detachment Commanders have a minimum of two contacts per year with a local African Nova Scotian community leader and/or the regional African Nova Scotian Affairs program officer
- Have Detachment Commanders identify and participate in at least two African Nova Scotian community events, as appropriate, such as: history talks; proclamations; spiritual/faith events; sporting events; youth programs; community celebrations; galas
Objective 3: Increase, retain, and develop the number of African Nova Scotians and other racialized employees within the RCMP.
- Action: To achieve this objective, our goals are to:
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- Promote the annual DREAM (Diversity Retention and Employee Advancement Model) workshop to RCMP employees in the Atlantic region.
- Supervisors will support employees of African Descent (and other racialized and underrepresented individuals) to attend this workshop
- Promote DICE (Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience) within Nova Scotia.
- Ensure promotion of the DICE program within Nova Scotia through organizations/groups affiliated with the Black community; social media; local detachments; and recruitment sessions
- Have a minimum of two Nova Scotian candidates in DICE troops each year (applicant dependent)
- Conduct two proactive recruitment sessions per year within or specifically for African Nova Scotian communities for all categories of RCMP employment
- In partnership with the RCMP's national employment equity section, create an employee equity audit that is Nova Scotia RCMP specific
- Promote the annual DREAM (Diversity Retention and Employee Advancement Model) workshop to RCMP employees in the Atlantic region.
Objective 4: Ensure that African Nova Scotian communities and partners are updated on the RCMP’s National Anti-Racism Unit’s race-based data collection initiative, which will enable data-driven decision making and policy development.
- Action: To achieve this objective, our goals are to:
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- Provide appropriate consultation and support to the RCMP’s National Anti-Racism Unit’s race-based data collection team
- Keep community/partners updated on the initiative’s progress
Objective 5: Provide regular reporting on the action plan to the steering committee and community.
- Action: To achieve this objective, our goals are to:
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- The Nova Scotia RCMP’s Diversity Analyst will provide an annual update on the three-year action plan to the steering committee
- Through the use of the Annual Performance Plan, Detachment Commanders who serve African Nova Scotian communities will report on progress to their communities annually
Conclusion
The Nova Scotia RCMP’s commitment to African Nova Scotians and all people of African Descent living in the province is ongoing. The Nova Scotia RCMP will be developing its 2025-2028 strategy in the coming months. The goals and objectives of this action plan will be integrated into that vision. Upon completion of the three-year action plan, a summary report will be prepared. For updates on the action plan or any other information regarding the Nova Scotia RCMP's work to build relationships with the Black community, please contact the Community, Indigenous and Diversity Policing Services office at: hdiv_cidps@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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