June 9, 2020
The Law Foundation of Nova Scotia stands with those affected by deep-seated racism in our society. We stand in solidarity with our Black colleagues, partners, and communities in calling for an end to police brutality and racial injustice, whether outright or systemic. As we collectively reflect on the most recent and the more longstanding instances of racial hatred and violence, we recommit to educating ourselves on issues of systemic racism and to using our privilege to ensure a just Nova Scotia for all.
Racial justice is at the heart of access to justice. We disdain systemic discrimination in our justice system and call for change through systemic reform, education, and action to remedy its failings. We commit to improving our processes and to encouraging others in the legal and justice system to do the same.
We adopt the recently published position of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society which states, “… we continue to be deeply committed to addressing issues of systemic racism, including anti-Black racism, in the justice system since the release of the Marshall Inquiry recommendations nearly 30 years ago… Together with the collaboration of our members, stakeholders, and justice system partners, we will work diligently towards eliminating racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination in the delivery of legal services.”
The Law Foundation provides grants to many organizations who promote the rule of law and the public interest in the justice system, and who seek to increase diversity, inclusion and substantive equality and freedom from discrimination in the delivery of legal services and the justice system. Our objects are “to establish and maintain a fund to be used for the examination, research, revision and reform of and public access to the law, legal education, the administration of justice in the Province and other purposes incidental to or conducive to or consequential upon the attainment of any such objects.”
