News & Events

Which Party Will Deliver for Black Communities?

The 2025 federal election is here, and it’s time to evaluate where the major parties stand on issues that matter most to Black communities in Canada. Understanding these platforms is key to making an informed decision at the ballot box.

At the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC), we recognize the complex realities facing Afro, Caribbean, and Black newcomers. When you’re focused on securing housing, employment, and navigating unfamiliar systems, politics may not feel like an immediate priority. For many, survival comes first, leaving some undecided on the national issues shaping our communities.

A recent poll by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) offers important insights into how immigrant voters are approaching the upcoming federal election:

• 92% of immigrant voters plan to cast a ballot
• 17% remain undecided—twice the national average
• 29% could still change their vote before election day
• Top concerns: cost of living (80%), healthcare (62%), housing (54%)
• Just 27% ranked Canada-US relations as a key issue
• Among decided voters: 36% support Liberals, 29% Conservatives, 4% NDP

These results show that newcomer communities are engaged and want to be heard, even while navigating daily challenges.

Read the full poll here

Key Policy Areas We Analyzed

These are our current advocacy priorities at NABC but we encourage everyone to raise the issues that matter most to them when speaking with candidates:

• Housing Affordability: Ensuring equitable access to affordable housing and homeownership.
• Justice Reform & Anti-Racism: Strengthening anti-racism policies and reforming the criminal justice system.
• Global Solidarity & Development: Increasing Canada’s support for Black-led international development initiatives and international cooperation with continental and diasporic African nations and communities.

Housing Affordability

Liberal
Proposes doubling funding for the National Housing Strategy, with a focus on affordable rentals and pathways to homeownership. However, there are no specific commitments to address the unique housing challenges faced by Black communities.

Conservative
Plans to reduce housing costs by increasing housing supply and relaxing zoning regulations. These measures are broad and do not include targeted solutions for marginalized communities.

New Democratic
Pledges to invest in affordable housing and rent-controlled home construction, which could benefit marginalized communities. However, the platform lacks specific provisions to address housing inequities for Black Canadians.

Green
Prioritizes community land trusts to prevent displacement, with an emphasis on marginalized communities. However, there are no explicit commitments to addressing the housing needs of Black communities.

Bloc Québécois
Proposes measures to increase affordable housing options for Quebec residents. However, the platform does not include specific provisions to address the housing disparities faced by Black communities in Quebec. 

Our Take: None of the parties have put forward specific commitments to address the housing disparities faced by Black Canadians. Moving forward, we must advocate to ensure that any governing party incorporates targeted solutions in its 2025 post-election mandate letters, with a clear focus on equitable access to affordable housing and homeownership for Black communities. 

Justice Reform & Anti-Racism

Liberal
Commits to strengthening oversight and accountability within the RCMP and other federal law enforcement agencies. The platform also pledges to boost funding for the Anti-Racism Strategy and the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat. 

Black Canadians Justice Strategy: The Liberal platform also references Canada’s Black Justice Strategy (CBJS), a 10-year implementation plan aimed at addressing anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination within the criminal justice system. The strategy, titled Toward Transformative Change: An Implementation Plan for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, commits to: 

• Combating Anti-Black Racism: Taking action to reduce the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. 
• Disaggregated Data Collection: Gathering race-based data to analyze how inequalities in education, health, housing, and employment contribute to Black Canadians’ interaction with the justice system. 
• Federal Leadership & Collaboration: Working with Black communities and all levels of government to dismantle systemic barriers in the justice system. 
• Promoting Restorative Justice: Developing policies that promote diversion, alternatives to incarceration, and restorative justice, while protecting victims and ensuring public safety. 

NABC’s Role: The Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC) was one of 12 Black-led organizations that conducted community consultations across 9 provinces and territories to inform the development of the CBJS. These consultations applied an intersectional, anti-Black racism lens, and anti-oppression lens to highlight gaps in policies, services, and community support. 

Conservative
Focuses on increasing funding for police and enforcing tougher sentencing, with no emphasis on addressing systemic racism or reducing racial disparities in policing and sentencing. Additionally, the Conservatives have vowed to crack down on repeat offenders with a new “three strikes, you’re out” law, which would send anyone convicted of three serious offences to jail for a minimum of 10 years with no eligibility for parole.


New Democratic
Pledges to implement measures to reduce racial profiling and over-incarceration and supports expanding community-based alternatives to policing. However, while these reforms are essential, they lack a specific focus on addressing anti-Black racism. 

Green
Calls for a complete overhaul of Canada’s justice system with a focus on restorative justice and harm reduction. Though the emphasis on marginalized communities is clear, there are no explicit measures targeting the unique challenges faced by Black Canadians. 

Bloc Québécois
Commits to protecting the justice system and ensuring fair treatment for all Quebecers. However, the platform does not include any specific measures to address anti-Black racism or systemic discrimination within the justice system.

Our Take: While the inclusion of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy in the Liberal platform is a positive step, none of the parties have proposed comprehensive strategies to address anti-Black racism at a systemic level. It is imperative that whichever party forms the government after the April 28, 2025, federal election includes specific commitments to address these issues in their post-election mandate letters. This is essential to ensure that addressing systemic racism and advancing justice reform for Black communities becomes a priority in the next government’s agenda. With regard to the “three strikes” law proposed by the Conservatives, this raises an important question about what will happen to racialized groups, particularly Indigenous and Black-identifying communities that are over-policed and disproportionately impacted in the justice system.

Global Solidarity & Development

Liberal
Pledges to increase foreign aid and promote diversity in international development. However, there are no specific commitments to advance cooperation between Canada and African nations or diasporic communities such as the Caribbean. 

Conservative
Plans to tie foreign aid to trade agreements and prioritize Canadian business interests, with no mention of supporting marginalized or Black-led organizations or fostering partnerships with African and Caribbean countries. 

New Democratic
Commits to advocating for equitable international aid, but does not explicitly address fostering global cooperation between Canada and African nations or supporting Black-led global initiatives. 

Green
Calls for decolonizing Canada’s foreign policy and redirecting aid toward marginalized communities, but does not make any specific commitments to strengthening ties with African countries or diasporic communities. 

Bloc Québécois
Aims to enhance Quebec’s role in international development and promote Quebec’s interests globally. However, there are no specific commitments to supporting Black-led global initiatives or advancing partnerships with African and Caribbean nations.

Our Take: Although the NDP and Green Party platforms acknowledge the importance of equitable international development, no party has explicitly prioritized fostering cooperation between Canada, African nations, and diasporic communities or integrating support for Black-led global initiatives. Moving forward, it is essential that any government elected on April 28, 2025, makes inclusive international development a priority by embedding these commitments into its post-election mandate letters. 

What Can You Do This Week?

• Compare Platforms: Here’s a summary of each major party’s election promises on major issues: Party Platform Tracker
• Engage with Candidates: Use #BlackVotesMatter2025 to ask candidates where they stand. 
• Talk About the Issues: Host a discussion with family and friends about party platforms and their impact on Black communities. 

As a Reminder

Check Your Registration Status: It’s essential to ensure that you are registered to vote and that your information is up-to-date. You can check your registration status and update your information through Elections Canada. 

Find Your Candidates: To find out who is running in your riding, visit Elections Canada and enter your postal code in the Voter Information Service box. Click on “Who are my candidates?” to see the list of confirmed candidates. 

Ways to Vote: Federal Election Monday, April 28, 2025

You are also able to vote early. Please see early voting instructions here.

In solidarity, 
The Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC)