Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to rise today to table e-petition 6484, which was initiated by Black People United for Change, who are in Ottawa today. These Canadians and petitioners are calling on the government to take urgent action to confront anti-Black racism.
The petitioners highlight the long history of systemic racism in this country, and they point to historic injustices, as well as recent tragedies and hate crimes, as evidence of the urgent need for change. The petitioners call on the government to issue a formal apology and acknowledge the historical and ongoing injustices experienced by Black Canadians to enact comprehensive legislation addressing anti-Black racism, including hate crime protections and institutional accountability measures, and to put in place policies to dismantle systemic discrimination and ensure safety, dignity and equal opportunity for Black Canadians.