Black leaders accuse Edmonton city administration of obstructing anti-racism plan

Nearly 30 Black community leaders in Edmonton have signed a letter accusing the city's administration of stalling on a plan to tackle anti-Black racism.

The open letter from 28 representatives of Edmonton's African and Caribbean communities says the Anti-Black Racism Action Plan has been "gathering dust" since it was unanimously approved by city council last August.

"We are gravely concerned that the City's administration has actively engaged in delaying tactics, obstructionism, and attempts to pit communities against one other," says the letter, dated April 25.

The letter was sent last week to Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, city councillors and Eddie Robar, the acting city manager who recently replaced Andre Corbould.

"Our stance is clear: while Black communities will continue to contribute immensely, responsibility for executing the plan ultimately falls on the administration of the City of Edmonton.

"The crucial question remains: Is the City prepared to step up and take action?"

'The tail is wagging the dog'

The Anti-Black Racism Action Plan was the result of collaborative efforts between community representatives and the city in response to attacks on Black, Muslim and 2SLGBTQ+ people in Edmonton and the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

The plan contains 130 recommendations that, according to advocates, offer a detailed roadmap on implementation.

Organizations made recommendations in multiple areas including hiring, employment, social development, arts and heritage, transit safety and the collection of race-based data.

"It does seem to us that in this case the tail is wagging the dog," said Temitope Oriola, a criminology professor at the University of Alberta, who signed the letter.

"We have full confidence in the city council to get this done and it is a question of making it clear to the administration that this is indeed a priority."

U of A Prof. Temitope Oriola says signatories have full confidence in city council to enact the plan. (Trevor Wilson/CBC)

'Confident in the progress'

Robar and Sohi, who has made anti-racism a priority during his time in office, declined to be interviewed. They provided a joint statement through the city.

According to the city, many recommendations are being addressed through other initiatives such as its strategy for affordable housing and a civic internship for equity-deserving youth.

In partnership with the University of Alberta, the city is offering a free new course: Black Canadians: History, Presence, and Anti-racist Futures.

The city said collaborative work with communities has identified five systemic changes it is committed to work through over the next two years.

Commitments include better reflecting Edmonton's Black and racialized demographics in management roles by addressing policy barriers, increasing diversity among advisors of grant funding, and improving joint-community planning and accountability.

The statement does not specifically address allegations made against city administrators but says the city has requested a meeting with signatories of the letter to discuss their concerns.

"While we are confident in the progress we have made, we recognize that this work is complex and generational and as such, it takes time to see the implementation of change," wrote Janice Schroeder, communications director with the city.

"We remain committed to working diligently and transparently to address anti-Black racism in our city. This includes continuing to be listeners and learners in this space and accepting feedback from those most impacted by the programs and services we provide."

The city says it also anticipates the launch of a long-awaited independent anti-racism body later this year.

Transparency concerns

The letter is the latest critique in the city's beleaguered efforts to implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle racism that dates back to at least 2018.

An email chain between February to April 2024 shows multiple unsuccessful requests from the African Canadian Civic Engagement Council (ACCEC) asking Corbould's office for a full list of members on the anti-racism body's selection committee.

"The sad thing about this is that the foundation of this work was built in the spirit of transparency, co-creation, and equity. Mayor Sohi and his councillors did an incredible job through unanimous agreement to implement the motion, said Dunia Nur, president and CEO of ACCEC.

"However, every single component of that process has been undermined and breached by city administration."

Dunia Nur says city administration has not provided her with the full list of members on the anti-racism selection committee. (Submitted by African Canadian Civic Engagement Council)

Gloria Anniva, executive director for Rarica Now, said it's disheartening not to be kept informed after her Black-led 2SLGBTQ+ organization participated in consultations early on.

She said more city support is needed after newcomers supported by Rarica doubled to 130 in less than a year and forced them to cut costs by giving up their community centre and downgrading to an online-only service.

"Work with us on this journey," Anniva urged city administration. "Allow us also to to be updated so that we have that transformation that we want to see for the Black 2SLGBT community."