Nova Scotia's premier is responding to criticism over the formation of a design team tasked with addressing systemic racism in the justice system.
On Tuesday, Premier Stephen McNeil apologized to the Black and Indigenous community for systemic racism in the justice system, and assigned a design team that will look to address the issue.
Since the announcement, some community groups claimed they should have been included in consultations.
But McNeil says the design team will engage with the public.
"The community has been engaged and it will continue to be engaged and it will be the broader community," he said. "It will be all those you've heard from and people that we haven’t heard from yet, whose voices will be part of this conversation."
Tony Ince, Minister of African Nova Scotia Affairs, is asking those who have been critical to be patient.
"I'd ask them to slow down, be calm, and give us a chance to begin the work, and allow us to get out there, consult with them and get their input," said Ince.
The design team will carry out its work over the next 12 to 18 months.
