A new research partnership between NBCC and Black Lives Matter New Brunswick will examine systemic anti-Black racism in the province over the summer.
NBCC will investigate New Brunswick’s health care, education, social development, and justice sectors and determine what needs to be changed to make the province more racially equitable.
President and CEO of Black Lives Matter New Brunswick, Matthew Martin, says the findings of this research will establish data-based benchmarks to determine next steps for dismantling anti-Black systemic racism.
“We’re looking for benchmarks…If we look at our education field, what’s the representation for Black teachers? What’s our education outcomes in regards to our white classmates?” says Martin. “We’re looking to establish those benchmarks that don’t currently exist. Currently, there’s nothing established in regards to any type of benchmark in New Brunswick for any type of racialized group. So that’s what we’re focusing on now is creating those those entry benchmarks, finding out what they are, and then we can move forward and see how, as a province, we can move forward and be a more equitable place to live.”
Martin will be involved in the study from start to finish, providing insight and overseeing NBCC’s research.
NBCC will approach New Brunswick’s health care, education, social development, and justice sectors with the hopes to answer the following questions:
- What are the key indicators of systemic Black racism in New Brunswick?
- How do these indicators affect policies and practices within four specific sectors?
- What best or proven practices in alleviating systemic Black racism currently exist in New Brunswick communities?
- How can these best practices inform policies and procedures across communities and sectors in the province and beyond?
The research will be complete by the fall of this year, which is a timeline Martin is optimistic about.
He says that this research and its findings are really about “the big picture,” and will be a stepping stone to improving the quality of life for Black New Brunswickers.
“I’m a big believer that immigration is going to be what keeps New Brunswick sustainable, and what’s going to keep our economy moving forward. But I also see as someone who lives here that our quality of life isn’t great. There’s a lot there’s a lot of issues, and one of those issues is systemic discrimination and racism,” explains Martin. “So for me, when we look at our province, and we want to maintain an 85% retention rate, we have to look at the quality of life. Without having these benchmarks, we don’t know anything, really.”
Martin is excited for the partnership with the government and NBCC, and says it is a “real, concrete step towards addressing and dismantling systemic racism within the province”
The report will be presented and revisited this fall.
