Last week, the Canadian Congress of Black Parliamentarians met over two days in Ottawa. Calling it a historic meeting, 45 Black Canadian politicians from every level of government signed a value statement aimed at improving the lives of Black Canadians

The politicians came from both the Francophone and Anglophone communities; among them school trustees, municipal councillors, MPs, senators, provincial MPPs and MLAs.

“This is a historical event in Canada,” said federal Liberal MP Michael Coteau.

“It’s the first time politicians from the African community, people of African descent have come together to identify issues that impact their community.”

According to Charmaine Williams, Ontario’s associate minister of women’s social and economic opportunity, the idea is to meet quarterly to ensure that their mission and vision “are being actioned across Canada.”

They committed to advancing issues such as health care, education and economic development. Among their other priorities will be combating anti-Black racism and systemic racism.

This comes at a time when the makeup of political entities at every level is undergoing significant changes with the increased presence of people of colour.

Despite the regional differences and priorities there was a strong convergence of views and pledges of mutual support and solidarity.

“When we look at any community, especially the Black community, the division has been the one thing that has kept us from advancing and moving forward,” said Tony Ince, Nova Scotia’s former minister of African Nova Scotian affairs. Not this time.

The ongoing proposed Black Class Action lawsuit was among the issues discussed. Federal Black employees are attempting to sue the Canadian government.

They allege Black civil servants endured decades of systemic racism and discrimination. Since the 1970s, the lawsuit alleges, roughly 30,000 Black employees have lost out on opportunities and benefits afforded to others because of their race.

The proposed lawsuit seeks compensation for decades of damages, a mental health fund, a diversity plan and changes to the Employment Equity Act to recognize the exclusion of Black people.

Unions and former governor general Michaëlle Jean have called on the Canadian government to resolve the dispute.

The Black Parliamentary Congress did not go so far as to endorse the proposed lawsuit, but members of the congress said employees are not alone in their fight.

“We see. We hear. We understand the plight of Black employees across the country,” said regional Waterloo councillor Colleen James.