Today, City Council approved the Anti-Black Racism Action Plan, which outlines steps the City will take to improve municipal programs, policies and procedures to address anti-Black racism. The plan aims to ensure full and meaningful participation of the Black community in services, events and life in London.
The plan outlines 61 recommendations for the City of London, including increasing economic opportunities through enhanced supports for Black-owned businesses, prioritizing the recruitment and retention of Black individuals in leadership roles, developing housing and transportation policies that support equity-denied communities and offering recreation programs inclusive of Black communities.
In addition, the plan includes 27 recommendations directed at external organizations such as police services, school boards, healthcare institutions, post-secondary institutions and business development partners in London. These recommendations focus on advancing systemic changes to improve representation, eliminating barriers and fostering equity within these key sectors.
With Council’s approval of the action plan, an implementation strategy outlining key outcomes and performance indicators is now under development.
The plan was shaped through collaboration with over 300 Black residents, leaders, community organizations and business owners in London. Surveys, focus groups and one-on-one interviews engaged diverse groups, including seniors, youth, women, Muslims, Francophones, 2SLGBTQIA+ members, newcomers and individuals with disabilities. These efforts aimed to understand perspectives on anti-Black racism, experiences with municipal services, business development and other areas of focus. The insights and recommendations provided by the community informed the plan’s objectives, actions and accountability measures.
“There is still much work to do. The deep, longstanding, complex issues faced by Black Londoners cannot be easily resolved. However, we are committed to the journey of healing and resolution,” says Mayor Josh Morgan. “This plan serves as a compass, guiding us towards actions that will ensure we confront anti-Black racism head-on. Together, we will continue to shape a future for this city that is just and equitable for everyone.”
“We recognize that anti-Black racism is a deeply ingrained systemic issue in Canada, and London is not immune to it. This action plan represents another step forward in our government’s commitment toward equality and a better future for Black Londoners,” says Sandra Datars Bere, City Manager. “I am grateful to the diverse group of individuals who contributed their perspectives and insights during the plan’s development.”
To learn more about the action plan, please visit https://london.ca/AntiBlackRacism
About anti-Black racism in London
In 2021, census data from Statistics Canada showed that there were 18,780 people living in London, Ontario who identified as Black, making the community the third largest visible minority group within the city. Despite the large population in London, many continue to experience anti-Black racism, including prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination directed at people of African descent.
Anti-Black racism is largely rooted in a unique history of enslavement and entrenched in political, social and economic spheres and institutions. Anti-Black racism often manifests as unequal access to programs and services, low rate of participation and representation in political and institutional decision-making processes, low social recognition valuation and appreciation of their diversity, low income and poorer health and social outcomes.