N.S. Barristers’ Society must tackle racism, systemic discrimination head on: report

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has unanimously accepted a report that lays out how the society can tackle anti-Black and systemic discrimination in the legal profession.

The report, released Tuesday in Halifax, was prepared by lawyer and former ombudsman Douglas Ruck. It contains 21 recommendations.

Ruck begins the 51-page report, titled Regaining Trust, by saying anti-Black and systemic discrimination in the province’s legal community is both real and pervasive.

“It is holding us back from becoming the diverse, equitable and inclusive society our province and our people deserve,” he wrote. “This report does not seek to argue the existence or degree of racism. It seeks to help the legal profession lead the way in addressing it, head on.”

The recommendations include making training on systemic discrimination mandatory, strengthening disciplinary action in cases of harassment and discrimination, and establishing a system for reporting and investigating that includes safeguards for whistleblowers.

More than 200 people interviewed for report

Ruck based his report on more than 200 interviews he conducted over the past several months.

Some of those who spoke to him did so on the condition they be granted anonymity for fear of backlash for speaking out about such a sensitive topic.

“I was surprised, perhaps, by the number who spoke up and asked me to assure there was confidentiality,” Ruck said. “But the fact that they had that concern didn’t surprise me in the least.”

While the report’s principle focus is on discrimination against African Nova Scotians, Ruck said that is really just a jumping-off point for tackling broader discrimination issues. 

Report resonates with society president

The president of the society, Morgan Manzer, recommended the report’s unanimous acceptance. He said its findings resonate with him personally.

“When I first began in this profession, I faced systemic discrimination and overt racism and homophobia, and that caused a lot of barriers to me to the point where I didn’t know if I really belonged in this profession, or whether I could continue in this profession,” Manzer said.

“And I am very grateful that ultimately I was able to find a workplace where I could be my authentic true self.”

Ruck said the May 2020 murder of a Black man, George Floyd, by a white police officer in Minneapolis served as a catalyst for the discussion about discrimination and racism. He said continuing to tackle these issues in 2024 can sometimes feel exhausting.

“I’m still doing the work that my father was doing, that he spent all of his life doing,” said Ruck. “Now, there’s a little difference in that he was doing it outside the building; I’m doing it from inside the boardrooms. But we shouldn’t have to do it.”

Ruck said lawyers and law firms have talked in the past about tackling discrimination issues, but he said much of that talk was tokenism.

He said he’s confident his report will not simply gather dust on a shelf, but he and others will be watching to make sure progress continues.