Canada's Black Justice Strategy will be presented by one of its co-authors, Zilla Jones [JD/11] on Wednesday, March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Robson Hall.
Faculty of Law to host Community Presentation of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy
March 5 event features alum Zilla Jones, co-author of CBJS
The Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba will host Manitoba’s only community presentation of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy on Wednesday, March 5 at Robson Hall, 224 Dysart Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with keynote and panel discussion at 6:00 p.m. The Faculty of Law welcomes alum Zilla Jones [JD/11] as keynote speaker and co-author of the CBJS, along with panelists Dr. Delia Douglas (Office of Anti-Racism, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences); Ms. Ashley Carruthers, NP (CEO, Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba); and Ms. Michelle Jean-Paul (Assistant Superintendent, Louis Riel School Division). The panel will be moderated by Ms. Mandy Ambrose [LLB/01] (Director of Prosecutions, Manitoba Justice).
In 2017, the Report of the United Nations Working Group for People of African Descent pointed out, during its mission to Canada, that anti-Black racism in Canadian institutions and policies has become so entrenched that it is “functionally normalized or rendered invisible, especially to the dominant group”. Black communities in Canada today continue to endure injustices and inequalities. The UN Working Group Report recommended the development and implementation of a justice strategy to address the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system.
Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is the federal government’s response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination in Canada that has led to this overrepresentation. The Strategy was developed in consultation with Black communities across Canada with an external Steering Group of experts and leaders. Faculty of Law alum Zilla Jones was appointed a member of this Steering Group and co-authored the resulting Steering Group Report titled A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.
The Report sets out 114 recommendations to address anti-Black racism including eight overarching accountability measures that would have significant impact across the criminal justice system. The Report was published in July, 2024, and on February 25, 2025, the Department of Justice Canada announced the release of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy’s Implementation Plan.
Join the Faculty of Law for this unique opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion on justice and equity. This event is free but seating is limited, so please let us know you are coming. Register here.
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Location: Robson Hall, 224 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg
Doors Open: 5:30 PM | Keynote & Panel: 6:00 PM
Free parking behind Robson Hall – check Google Maps: “University of Manitoba L Lot: https://maps.umanitoba.ca