CBJS Policy Spotlight Series

Summary

The Canada’s Black Justice Strategy (CBJS) Team is pleased to invite you to register for the Policy Spotlight Series, a five-part virtual forum on issues identified by the external Steering Group for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy in their report, A Roadmap for Transformative Change. This series brings together leading academics, government officials and others to learn about and discuss key systemic issues affecting the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system. Each virtual forum is designed to foster informed and meaningful dialogue on complex and intersecting drivers of anti-Black racism and of overrepresentation.

Topics explored across the series include the psychological underpinnings of anti-Black racism and supports for Black and non-Black people faced with anti-Black racism, the impact of systemic bias on artificial intelligence, the role of Impact of Race and Cultural Assessments (IRCAs) beyond sentencing decisions, pathways contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline, and approaches to removing barriers to access to bail for Black people. The series provides a structured space for knowledge exchange, critical reflection, and forward-looking policy discussion. It aims to support curiosity, learning and debate to advance the broader objectives of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.

The five virtual forums will take place as follows:

  • May 7, 2026 (13:30–15:00 EST) – Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Exacerbating Racism: Challenge and Promise
  • May 15, 2026 (13:30–15:00 EST) – The Psychological Foundations of Anti-Black Racism: Why and How
  • May 25, 2026 (13:30–15:00 EST) – The Use of Black Social Context Information in Decision-Making in the Criminal Justice System Beyond Sentencing
  • June 16, 2026 (13:30–15:00 EST) – Designing Disruption of the Continuing Impacts of the School-to-Prison Pipeline on Black Youth in Canada
  • June 19, 2026 (13:00–14:30 EST) – The Impact of Racism on Access to Bail

For questions or if you require accommodation to participate, do not hesitate to contact us.

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