Advancing racial justice in Canada’s criminal justice system.
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute strengthens access to Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, builds practitioner capacity, advances public education, and advocates for systemic change addressing anti-Black racism in the justice system.
Racial justice. Stronger communities. A more equitable tomorrow.
Advancing a more equitable criminal legal system for all.
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute strengthens access to Impact of Race and Culture Assessments, builds IRCA Assessor capacity, advances public education, and advocates for systemic change addressing Anti-Black Racism in the legal system.
Latest from VDJI
All news & updatesVDJI at the
National Black Canadians Summit 2026
Leadership and Governance
A youth panel, meaningful connections, and a shared commitment to moving forward together. Explore VDJI’s participation in the 5th National Black Canadians Summit.
Read the update 15 photos from our Summit visit
IRCA figures
IRCAs completed by VDJI across Canada
Explore the most up-to-date figures provided by the VDJI team.
NCR’s figures are counted separately from Ontario and Québec. Totals reflect the reporting regions provided by VDJI.
Map boundaries: Natural Earth
We work at the intersection
of research, practice and change.
Through advocacy, capacity-building, education and collaboration, we support a legal system that recognizes the realities of anti-Black racism and responds with fairness and humanity.
Training for Change
We train and support IRCA assessors and provide education for community and legal-system actors.
Explore TrainingLatest News
Stay informed about our work, policy developments and opportunities to get involved.
Read Our UpdatesA more just Canada requires that the realities of anti-Black racism are understood, named and addressed within the legal system.
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Mandate, Mission, Vision, & Values
The Viola Desmond Justice Institute (VDJI) is a bilingual B3 service delivery organization dedicated to fostering an equitable criminal justice system in Canada through addressing institutional anti-Black racism and promoting an understanding of the impact of race and culture. VDJI supports the provision, management, and evolution of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) through the training and mentorship of IRCA Assessors, enhancing the quality and accessibility of IRCAs, and advocating against systemic anti-Black racism.
VDJI is dedicated to justice, education and racial and cultural competence in understanding systemic anti-Black racism. At VDJI, we seek to create meaningful impact and equitable justice for Black individuals involved with the law, with the objective of honouring Viola Desmond’s legacy and the values she stood for: a social and legal landscape free from racial discrimination and systemic barriers.
Viola Desmond
In 1946, Halifax businesswoman Viola Desmond confronted the racism that African Nova Scotians routinely faced when she refused to move from her seat in the “whites-only” section of the Roseland Theatre. For this, she was arrested, jailed overnight, and fined. Her unsuccessful appeal to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia attracted national attention. It confirmed for African-Canadians that the law did not protect them and sparked their activism. Desmond’s resistance to racial discrimination was an important milestone in Canada’s human rights history and an inspiration for the civil rights movement in this country.