Justice Minister mum on report recommendations from over a year ago

Justin Campbell of First Voice says they haven’t received any commitments, counter proposals, or agreed-upon next steps from the department of Justice.    

First Voice Urban Indigenous Coalition wants to know why the province’s Justice Minister hasn’t commented on a police related report. Justin Campbell says the October 4th, 2022 report contained 26 recommendations. Yesterday, the RNC and First Voice announced intentions to form an Indigenous Advisory Committee comprised of 15 indigenous groups throughout the province. Campbell says given the report was released over a year ago, he wonders why NL Justice Minister John Hogan has not commented on the report’s 26 recommendations. RNC Cst James Cadigan says they’ve been working closely with First Voice since the report was released.

Meanwhile, SIRTNL Director Michael King said in an email to BOIR News on June 2nd,  “We are currently working with several communities and organizations to develop a protocol for the collection, maintenance and use of this race-based data This process must be completed before we begin collection.” Campbell says systemic change happens at the legislative level and government needs pass new laws in order to create a police oversight board. Campbell says despite meeting with officials and Minister Hogan several times, they haven’t received any commitments, counter proposals, or agreed-upon next steps.