NBCS | Halifax Declaration

Behind the Halifax Declaration

The Halifax Declaration, created by Black Canadians and benefitting from the wisdom of young Black Canadians, is an expression of some of the key demands, claims and expectations of Black people everywhere, including on the continent of Africa.

Dr. Natalia Kanem

United Nations, Under-Secretary General

The Proclamation

Highlights of the Declaration were presented in a powerful artistic performance at the third edition of the National Black Canadians Summit in Halifax, on July 31, 2022, on the eve of Emancipation Day, witnessed by Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director UNFPA and endorsed by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Watch the Proclamation

The Declaration

The creation of the Declaration was initiated by the participants at the Ottawa Summit, in 2019, who wanted to add Canada’s voice to the international community during the International Decade of People of African Descent (2015-2024). The Foundation convened a pan-Canadian group of writers, academics, historians and activists to draft the Declaration, based on the three pillars of the International Decade – Recognition, Justice and Development.

The Halifax Declaration is a critical document naming the demands, expectations and aspirations of Black Canadians of changes that must be enacted by government and civil society, inclusive of academia, justice systems, and health care and other systems to move towards a truly just and equitable Canada.

Read the full Declaration

The Survey

The Halifax Declaration Survey provides a call to action and demands to various government bodies and Canadian institutions such as housing, justice, healthcare, education, and media and arts.

The data will be used to validate the call to action made in the National Black Canadians Summit in July 2022 and also can be used to inform policy and programming activities aimed at improving the well-being of Black Canadians. The survey is open until February 23, 2023.

Any questions please contact us at nbcs-spcn@fmjf.ca.

Complete the survey