Achi news desk-
A “first of its kind” report released Wednesday presents statistical data on Black communities in Nova Scotia.
The report focused on six key areas, including:
- population
- labour
- income
- education
- houses
- welfare
The African Nova Scotian Prosperity and Well-being Index report is a critical step towards understanding and addressing the economic disparities faced by Black and African Nova Scotian communities.
Council members with the Road to Economic Prosperity say the data collected reflects the Nova Scotian African experience, including historical challenges such as anti-Black racism.
Housing statistics
According to the report, compared to the general Nova Scotian population, the Black Nova Scotian community has higher proportions of households living in unaffordable housing, inadequate housing that does not match the number of people who living in them, and unfit houses, which means homes in need of “major repairs.”
While 7.3 percent of Nova Scotian households live in core housing need, the proportion almost doubles to 13.2 percent for Black Nova Scotians.
Pay gap statistics
On average, the index report found that a Black Scot will earn just 85 cents in income for every dollar earned by an invisible minority in the province.
Black Nova Scotians with a bachelor’s degree or higher with the same education levels made only 79.2 percent of the average Nova Scotian income in 2020, according to the report’s findings.
Employment statistics
The age-adjusted unemployment rate for Black Scots remains higher than the figure for the general population: 4.7 per cent higher in 2016, and 1.3 per cent higher in 2021, in according to the report.
Although the information gathered in the report may not come as a surprise to members of the Black community, the council says it is important to share the findings with other community political leaders to help push for change.
“When you review the data, the circumstances for Black Nova Scotians are not ideal. Education, we are showing improvements around education but we are still very much over-represented in core housing needs and over-represented in those who need adequate housing. I would say it doesn’t paint a pretty picture but it shows the reality,” said Shaekara Grant, co-chair of the Road to Economic Prosperity youth council.
The group hopes to continue their research and submit data every three years.
“The index is a measuring tool. You know the old saying, ‘What doesn’t get measured, doesn’t change.’ So, this is a tool that we hope that advocacy groups and community groups can use in those areas, that they are working to bring about some positive change,” said Irvine Carvery, co-chair of the Road to Economic Prosperity advisory council.
The council says they are working with Statistics Canada to find better ways to collect data that reflects the experience of African Nova Scotians in their census work.
The Road to Economic Prosperity Plan is a five-year economic development strategy developed and owned by the African Nova Scotian community to address systemic issues and improve economic outcomes and quality of life for African Nova Scotians.
The plan is led by leaders from African Nova Scotian communities and implemented in collaboration with public, private, post-secondary and community partners.
More statistics from the Nova Scotian African Prosperity and Well-being Index report can be found online.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
