Towards a Truly Justice System
Direct Your Life is proud to align with and advocate for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, a roadmap for transformative change in the justice system. This historic strategy confronts anti-Black racism and works to dismantle the inequities Black Canadians have faced for over 400 years — from slavery, segregation, and over-policing to over-incarceration and systemic discrimination in courts, corrections, and beyond.
We believe justice should be truly just — fair, equitable, and free of discrimination. The Black Justice Strategy outlines how we can build that reality together.
Why It Matters
Black Canadians are overrepresented at every stage of the criminal justice system — as victims, accused, and incarcerated. Rooted in systemic racism and social inequities, these outcomes continue to harm individuals, families, and communities.
Developed in consultation with Black communities across Canada, this strategy recognizes that transformative change starts by addressing the root causes of injustice — including income inequality, housing, education, health, and the trauma of systemic racism.
Guiding Principles
The Strategy is shaped by five principles:
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Sankofa: Learning from the past to build a better future.
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Africentrism: Centering Black voices and leadership — “Nothing about us without us.”
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Restraint: Using incarceration only as a last resort.
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Evidence-Based Decisions: Grounding actions in data and research.
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Reparative Justice: Focusing on healing and repair, not just punishment.
Key Pillars
The Strategy targets five areas where change is needed most:
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Social Determinants of Justice
Addressing inequities in income, housing, education, health, child welfare, and immigration that contribute to justice involvement.
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Policing
Reducing racial profiling, over-surveillance, and harm to Black communities while increasing accountability and diversion programs.
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Courts and Legislation
Reforming discriminatory laws, removing mandatory minimums, ensuring fair bail and sentencing, and expanding culturally competent support.
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Corrections
Improving the treatment of incarcerated Black people, ensuring humane conditions, culturally appropriate programs, and accountability in institutions.
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Parole, Re-entry, and Reintegration
Supporting people as they return to their communities with resources, opportunities, and dignity to break cycles of recidivism.
Our Commitment
At DYL, we echo the Strategy’s call for:
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Decarceration — reducing Black and Indigenous incarceration rates by 50% by 2034.
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Structural change — rethinking systems that perpetuate racism.
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Collaboration — working across all levels of government and community.
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Investment — sustained resources to support Black communities.
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Data and accountability — using race-based data to inform and monitor progress.
We envision a justice system where Black people are treated with humanity, fairness, and respect — and where our communities thrive.
Learn More
We encourage you to read the full Canada’s Black Justice Strategy and join us in supporting its recommendations. Together, we can shift from a system of punishment to one of healing, accountability, and justice for all.
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Learn More
We encourage you to read the full Canada’s Black Justice Strategy and join us in supporting its recommendations. Together, we can shift from a system of punishment to one of healing, accountability, and justice for all