OUR JOURNEY 

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) is a community-based Society dedicated to advancing Environmental Justice for the historic African Nova Scotian community in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. For generations, our community has faced the disproportionate burdens of environmental hazards, including dumps, air and water pollution. 

In 2022, the incubation of the CEJ began as a dream rooted in justice for African Nova Scotian communities impacted by environmental racism and injustice in Nova Scotia. The legacy of environmental racism disproportionately impacts Indigenous, Mi’kmaw, and African Nova Scotian communities in Nova Scotia. African Nova Scotian communities such as Africville, Lincolnville, and Shelburne are examples of environmental racism and injustice in Canada. 

In February of 2024, community members facilitated a community engagement session to better understand community-identified impacts and concerns surrounding environmental injustice and racism in the South End of Shelburne. This prepared our community to participate in Minister Guilbeault’s Roundtable on Environmental Justice and Racism. This roundtable supported efforts in passing Bill C-226, highlighting the intricate connection between our physical environment and the systemic barriers that exacerbate racism in the South End. Community members shared lived experiences and advised the Federal minister to act upon environmental racism with urgency. 

The inaugural board was formed in September 2024, meeting since August 2024, our board has been developing board governance, policies, publications, and programming.