Moratorium on Police Street Checks - Question Period
MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Dartmouth South.
JUSTICE: POLICE STREET CHECKS - MORATORIUM
MS. CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Justice. On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination I'd like to ask the minister about street checks. We know police street checks disproportionately criminalize Black Nova Scotians. As Sergeant Robyn Atwell recently said, echoing many others, this practice is wrong, it's not effective, we should end it - and I'll table that.
Given the known harm associated with street checks, there is no reason the practice should continue while we wait for the conclusion of the Human Rights Commission. We know harm is being done and the government is letting it continue. I'll table that - it's a troubling message.
Will the minister explain why he won't put a moratorium on street checks now, pending the outcome of the Human Rights Commission?
HON. MARK FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, I do want to acknowledge and recognize how important it is that police interaction with the public at large is a priority and important to each and every one of us. The work that Dr. Wortley is doing will help inform our decisions.
I've spoken in this Legislature before about evidence-based decisions. I will continue with that practice. This particular issue has been brought front and centre and it has to be addressed. We value the work and look forward to the outcomes that Dr. Wortley will provide us.
MS. CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, this isn't about interactions, it's about data collection. With respect, whose evidence are we listening to? We have an abundance of evidence from our most vulnerable communities that this practice is wrong.
It's frustrating, Mr. Speaker, to hear that data collection is justification for systemic racism. It makes me especially sad that this government is so keen on collecting data in a way that marginalizes African Nova Scotians because I know that in contrast it drags its feet on collecting data that could help bring justice for the same communities. For instance, we know that Indigenous and racialized people are overrepresented in the provincial prison system. We suspect that they are overrepresented in solitary confinement, but we can't say for sure because the department still does not collect that data.
In 2016 in response to our questioning, the Minister of Justice at the time made a commitment to provide us demographic data by 2017. I'll table that - we have yet to see it.
Will the minister table for this House the demographic statistics for Nova Scotians placed in solitary confinement?
MR. FUREY « » : Mr. Speaker, my colleague, the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs, spoke earlier today, eloquently, about the priority in addressing systemic racism. We have undertaken a number of issues to address this systemic racism that has taken place across the province. We have implemented strategies within our Public Service, within corrections facilities, across multiple government departments, about a journey that we all have to take using his word "together." We will continue that work.
I've invited my colleague to the correctional facility; she participated in a tour there and she saw first-hand the circumstances that exist in that community. We will continue to work towards solutions in each of these areas.
MR. SPEAKER « » : The honourable member for Queens-Shelburne.
Published by Order of the Legislature by Hansard Reporting Services and printed by the Queen's Printer.
Available on INTERNET at http://nslegislature.ca/legislative-business/hansard-debates/