More than three years after the release of a detailed report focusing on systemic racism, the government of New Brunswick announced the establishment of an anti-racism office. This significant development positions New Brunswick as the fifth province in Canada to create such an office, reflecting a commitment to addressing racial equity and discrimination.
Jean-Claude D'Amours, the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, made the announcement on a Friday, stating that the new office has already been integrated into his department. The primary function of this office will be to implement the 86 recommendations outlined in the 2022 report, which highlighted various critical issues related to systemic racism within the province.
As part of the new initiative, D'Amours revealed that a dedicated website is set to launch later that day, enabling the public to track the government's progress on the recommendations. According to government sources, work has commenced or been completed on 59 percent of the recommendations, while an additional 19 percent have been identified for future action.
The recommendations from the 2022 report are comprehensive and aim to address several key areas, including the development of a strategic plan to combat hate and discrimination, enhancing racial representation on agency boards and commissions, and improving the collection of race-based data, especially in healthcare settings. Many individuals have reported instances of racist treatment in emergency rooms, highlighting the urgent need for reform in this area.
This announcement marks the first official response from the government to the systemic racism report, which was delivered to the former premier Blaine Higgs of the Progressive Conservative government. The current Liberal administration had previously committed to responding to the report during the fall 2024 election campaign, demonstrating a proactive approach to tackling the issues raised.
As New Brunswick moves forward with the creation of the anti-racism office and begins implementing the recommendations, it sets an important precedent for other provinces. The efforts reflect a growing recognition of the necessity for systemic change in addressing racism and promoting equity within governmental and societal structures across Canada.
This report was originally published on January 16, 2026, emphasizing the ongoing dialogue and commitment to racial justice in New Brunswick.
