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Quebec Rejects Federal Funds for Race and Culture Assessments in Justice System
The Quebec government has declined $6.64 million in federal funding intended to combat systemic racism in the criminal justice system, citing disagreement with the program’s underlying approach. The funding, offered to provinces and territories in 2021, was designed to support the use of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) — reports that examine how systemic racism and cultural factors may have influenced an offender’s actions before sentencing.
While most provinces have embraced the initiative, Quebec’s Justice Department stated it does not subscribe to the concept of systemic racism as the basis for such measures. Advocates, including the Montreal-based Viola Desmond Justice Institute, argue the refusal leaves marginalized defendants at a disadvantage, as legal aid funding for these assessments remains unavailable in the province.
Despite the government’s stance, the first IRCA in Quebec was recently presented in court, leading to a reduced sentence for a Black defendant whose life story reflected the impacts of racism and poverty. Supporters vow to continue pushing for the routine use of these assessments, with or without provincial backing.
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