Citizen Engagement Workshops Held in African Nova Scotian Communities

The province is supporting workshops designed to help more African Nova Scotians be better informed and active in October's municipal elections.

The sessions are a joint project between the province, the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities, Dalhousie University and the Association of Black Social Workers. The aim is to increase voter turnout and encourage African Nova Scotians to get more involved in local government.

"Nova Scotia is a diverse province, and we believe it is important for our boards, councils and governments to reflect the populations they serve," said John MacDonell, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, on behalf of African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Percy Paris. "All Nova Scotians benefit when there are many different voices and perspectives at the table."

Workshops will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 21 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in:

• Digby, Digby Regional High School, 107 King St.
• Halifax, Cornwallis Street Baptist Church, 5754 Cornwallis St.,
• Truro, Zion Baptist Church, 454 Prince St.

Another workshop, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. will take place March 27 in Whitney Pier at Menelik Hall, 88 Laurier St..

"Only four out of 402 councillors in Nova Scotia are of African descent," said Wanda Thomas Bernard, a professor at Dalhousie University's School of Social Work. "It is important for community members to be active and engaged, whether they're serving on a volunteer board or running for office. These workshops are one way to encourage more participation."

Current and former African Nova Scotian councillors and community leaders will take part in panel discussions and answer questions about civic engagement.

"As municipalities are the government closest to the people, it is important that we strive to reach out and engage our many diverse communities across the province," said Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities president Jimmy MacAlpine, deputy warden for the District of Digby. "These civic engagement sessions are a good start to encourage our African Nova Scotian community to become involved with their local municipality."

Municipal elections take place across Nova Scotia on Oct. 20. For more information, go to www.ns-municipal-elections.ca .