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eventually inspire future solutions for Chinese head tax case. The Canadian Race Relations
Foundation (CRRF) was established as one part of the 1988 Japanese Canadian Redress
Agreement to work at the forefront of efforts to combat racism and all forms of racial
discrimination in Canada. The Redress Agreement was significant in that it not only
acknowledged and compensated for the unjust treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after
World War II, but it was also an expression of the Government of Canada’s commitment to
support a foundation that would foster racial harmony and cross-cultural understanding and help
to eliminate racism.
D. Administration of justice/policing
43.
A variety of interlocutors have pointed out to systemic racism in policing and in the
administration of justice. Representatives of people of African descent communities have
strongly voiced the opinion that they are systematically targeted by the police, especially in
Halifax, Montreal and Toronto.9 They alleged that the investigative process in the case of police
shootings and police brutality is not effective, as the police investigate themselves. However, the
Canadian Government has indicated that the Commission for Public Complaints against the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police is an effective, independent civilian body which examines fairly
and impartially complaints from the public against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
44.
Several persons interviewed by the Special Rapporteur alleged that “racial profiling” also
affects aboriginal peoples, particularly the younger generation, in the Province of Saskatchewan.
They said that youngsters are often exposed to harassment by the police whenever they move
about in groups “because the police see them as criminals, gangsters, dropouts or, in the case of
girls, prostitutes”.
45.
During the National Forum on Policing in a Multicultural Society, held in February 2003
by the Ministry of Multiculturalism, it was acknowledged that “for several years there have been
numerous reports indicating racial profiling against the African Canadian community, and
ongoing cases involving the Saskatoon City Police and aboriginal communities”. The Forum
had recommended several measures that should contribute to improving the relationship of the
police with communities concerned including the implementation and monitoring of an
employment equity programme that ensures a proportionate reflection of society at levels of
policing organizations, including upper management; facilitation of the understanding of
diversity and inclusion issues, creation of partnerships between community leaders, police
organizations, government, ethnic, racial and cultural communities; providing effective cultural
and diversity awareness training to all front line law enforcement officers.
46.
Regarding aboriginal people and the justice system, according to Correctional Service
Canada, aboriginal people represent 4.4 per cent of the Canadian population, yet account for
18 per cent of the federally incarcerated population (in some provincial institutions, this latter
figure reaches 50-60 per cent).10 In line with CERD’s observations, the Special Rapporteur is
extremely preoccupied with the high rate of incarceration of, violence against and deaths in
custody of aboriginals and people of African and Asian descent.