The Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism continues work for further action and community engagement to develop the necessary tools to stop racism in Newfoundland and Labrador. The committee includes Ministers of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills; Justice and Public Safety; Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation; and Education.

Recognizing the systemic and persistent nature of racism, ministers will be meeting with and seeking input from residents, community and cultural organizations, employers, educators, researchers, and others on their experiences, and to hear recommendations on stopping all forms of racism including; anti-Indigenous, anti-Black, and anti-Asian racism; anti-Semitism; and Islamophobia.

Ministers agree on the following actions:

• Reviewing legislative provisions to identify options to address hate speech in provincial laws;
• Launching an anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia public education campaign, in consultation with cultural organizations and community partners; and
• Commencing a provincial program review to identify and remove systemic racism, in partnership with community representatives.

Actions already underway include:

• Culture and Diversity are embedded throughout large portions of the K-12 social studies curriculum, with significant focus on the issues of acceptance, understanding, equal rights and the negative impacts of racism, among other related topics. Future curriculum updates will build on these topics with a specific lens of anti-racism; and
• Intercultural competency and trauma-informed training is offered to justice-sector employees to educate and inform staff and improve the interactions of people within the justice system.

The Terms of Reference for the Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism is included in the backgrounder below.

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“Our government is deeply opposed to racism in any and all forms. Diversity is our strength. As we stand for diversity, we stand against racism and work to see its swift end. The Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism maintains constant and regular engagement with community groups and leaders to optimize ongoing actions while planning for more actions to come.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills

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Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
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BACKGROUNDER

Ministerial Committee on Ant-racism Terms of Reference

PREAMBLE:

The Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism is mandated to work towards a diverse, inclusive, and equitable society that is void of racism and discrimination.

The Committee firmly believes that all individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador have a right to a life of dignity and respect, regardless of their race, ancestry, ethnic origin, colour, citizenship, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or other grounds.

The Committee also recognizes that discrimination in various forms, including Anti-Indigenous, Anti-Black, and Anti-Asian racism, Anti-Semitism; and Islamophobia directly impact the everyday lives of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Committee believes that meaningful action begins with the acknowledgment of these realities, and with a commitment to act to end racism in all its forms in Newfoundland and Labrador.

AUTHORITY:

The Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills Mandate Letter (April 15, 2021) instructs the development of a Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism in collaboration with key department and community stakeholders.

MANDATE AND MEMBERSHIP:

The Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism will serve as a platform for the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills; Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation; Minister of Education; Minister Responsible for Justice and Public Safety, and Minister Responsible for the Human Rights Commission, to learn about and seek solutions to racism in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Committee shall be co-chaired by the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, the Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister of Education, and the Minister Responsible for Justice and Public Safety.

The Committee will invite members of the public, community and private sectors, labour, academia, and other areas, to discuss longstanding and emerging issues related to racism, and opportunities to address them.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Solicit input from the public and various partners, including community groups, educational institutions, Police and Emergency Services, public, private, and voluntary sectors, and all orders of government regarding measures that could be taken to address racism and its impacts in Newfoundland and Labrador; and
• Promote respect and understanding for and appreciation of cultural diversity and the inclusion of Indigenous and racialized communities into the social and cultural mosaic of the province.

SOLICITATION OF VIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON ANTI-RACISM:

The Committee will listen to perspectives and hear recommendations on how to address Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of discrimination swiftly.

Visiting presenters on the Ministerial Committee on Anti-Racism will be composed of a diverse and inclusive array of individuals. Through a visiting presentation and/or written submission, these representatives may share personal or professional experiences, research, highlight the provincial context and offer ideas for challenging and addressing issues of racism in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Individuals and entities may be invited to present to or make a written submission to the Committee, drawing upon lived, professional, and other experiences reflecting perspectives of Indigenous, cultural, ethnic, and religious groups, the academia, public and private sector individuals, business and employer community, and any other entities intersecting with the priorities of the Committee, and who are committed to taking proactive measures to combat racism in Newfoundland and Labrador.

SUBCOMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS:

The Committee may form subcommittees and working groups as necessary to address specific issues pertaining to racism and other forms of discrimination. These subcommittees and working groups shall draw upon the knowledge and experience of the broader community to accomplish its task. The Chair of these groups shall be a member of the Committee.