FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Halifax, Nova Scotia – October 2nd, 2019 

It is with great excitement that the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, with the support of TD Canada Trust, is announcing the 3rd edition of the National Black Canadians Summit, set to take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from March 20th to March 22nd. With March 21st being the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we wish to send a clear message: the eradication of racial discrimination is a shared responsibility, and everyone should be held accountable to making Canada more inclusive of all. 

Since 2017, the National Black Canadians Summit has served as a major meeting point for people of African Descent living in Canada, to share their experience, raise awareness about major challenges they face and to open a national conversation on ways to enhance social cohesion, as well as promote an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development for all Canadians. With over 2500 participants over the 2017 and 2019 editions, this is certainly one of the largest gatherings of its kind for Black Canadians. 

Under the United Nations’ International Decade for people of African descent (2015-2024), we aim to create a roadmap for communities, the public sector and the private sector to advance concrete solutions to the needs and challenges faced by Black Communities across Canada. Recognizing the urgency in protecting and promoting the human rights of this distinct group, the United Nations’ call, for all Member States to create a framework for recognition, justice and development, was answered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at our 2017 summit. 

The mission is to collect experience-based data and tangible recommendations in order to continue to inform the “Canadian Strategic Action Plan for the International Decade for People of African Descent: 2017-2024” which draws on the strengths of initiatives across the country, identifies gaps in existing programs, and prioritizes areas where government support needs to be strengthened. Through a series of strategic planning sessions, panel discussions and presentations, participants from across Canada are invited to share their perspectives on topics such as justice, education, health, migration, wealth and much more. 

The Nova Scotian Appeal for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 

As we continue to move forward with this endeavour, our hope with this 3rd edition of the National Black Canadians Summit in Nova Scotia, taking place at the Halifax Convention Center, is to draw from the experience of African Nova Scotians and highlight their contributions. We will continue to frame the roadmap for change by focusing on a very timely topic: the elimination of racial discrimination. The unique perspective of African Nova Scotians, dating from the 16th Century, provides a rare account on the state of race relations in Canada, and, if we listen carefully by centering their voices, holds the solutions to address barriers faced by people of African descent. 

“I am pleased to welcome the National Black Canadians Summit to Halifax and look forward to the important and necessary discussions this gathering will encourage,” said African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Tony Ince. “We hope Nova Scotia’s recent  launch of  Count Us In, our action plan in response to the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024, will help delegates appreciate our efforts to help address and eliminate the systemic barriers that still exist for African Nova Scotians.” 

Our hope is to draw from many of their practices: Nova Scotia is the only province in Canada with a department with a mandate to focus on Black Canadians. The African Nova Scotian Affairs works with the provincial government on matters involving African Nova Scotian issues, policies and programs. 

On October 17th, 2019, at 10 am, the Right Honorable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor General of 

Canada, with co-founder and executive director of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation, Mr. JeanDaniel Lafond, will both be present alongside, The honourable Tony Ince, Minister of the African Nova Scotian Affairs, for the official announcement of the summit at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.  

Press conference 
Date: October 17th, 2019 
Time: 9:30am to 11am (Speeches start at 10am) 
Where: The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - 1723 Hollis St, Halifax 

The National Black Canadian Summit 
Date: March 20th to March 22nd, 2020 
Where: The Halifax Convention Centre 
Pre-registration: www.blackcanadiansummit.ca   

To learn more about this event, please contact:  

Soraya Lemur 
Director of Communications & Programming
The Michaëlle Jean Foundation 
445 Sussex Drive, 3rd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 5Z6
613-562-4861
communications@fmjf.ca 

Download Press Release (PDF)