Quebec Rejects Federal Funding Meant to Encourage Courts to Consider Race in Sentencing

Quebec is upholding its rejection of federal funding aimed at having courts weigh racial factors in sentencing as pressure mounts by activists in light of a recent case. The province says the reason for its rejection of the funding program is that it doesn’t share Ottawa’s position that there’s systemic racism in the justice system.

“We are not party to any funding agreement involving Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, as Quebec doesn’t subscribe to the approach on which the funding program is based, namely systemic racism,” Quebec’s Justice Department Marie-Hélène Mercier told The Canadian Press.