We Stand Together.

Dear CMDC Members, Partners and Media Community.

The Canadian media industry stands with the black community against racism in any form. While recent events in the United States have brought this conversation to the forefront, the simple fact remains that racial injustice is a long-standing problem. Now, at this tipping point, the world can no longer turn a blind eye and these important issues cannot be ignore or pushed to the sidelines.

Our media industry can and must do more in the battle for true equality. It starts with acknowledging the fact that racial discrimination, both seen and unseen, remains a daily reality for many Canadians. Racial injustice is not just police brutality or harassment, but also the subtle but damaging differential treatment received by people of colour and the indifference of those in a position to change things.

As part of the path forward, we all need to examine and understand our privilege and the systemic advantages and disadvantages surrounding it. As leaders in the media community, we must start by having the uncomfortable but necessary conversations about how we can ensure that no one is harassed, held back, or given any less freedom and dignity because of the colour of their skin.

We must also acknowledge that while this topic has risen to the public consciousness in recent days, the solution to racial injustice is not a one-off event. This letter is the beginning, not the end, of this conversation.

We’ve had a lot of discussions about the right course of action to show support at this time. We are learning, listening and gathering knowledge to share with our media community. On our website here are anti-racism resources that can be shared across our industry. There is so much more that we need to understand and so much more that we need to do. We are all humbled by the actions our media community have already taken. We are with you.

Real solutions will require a consistent, sustained effort from all of us. Let us dedicate ourselves today to the memory of George Floyd and to every person of colour who has been unjustly treated. Change will not come easily, but there can be no other path than the one leading to justice for all.

As we say at the CMDC, we are “Better Together” - that means we must all be allies in the fight for racial justice.

Sincerely,

Shannon Lewis Stuart Garvie

President, CMDC CEO Group M Canada