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.
Our work advances a legal system and society free from anti-Black racism and discrimination.
Explore each area to learn more about our work.
Anti-Black Racism
Addressing systemic and institutional anti-Black racism.
Anti-Black Racism
We address systemic and institutional anti-Black racism by increasing access to IRCAs, strengthening assessor capacity, and promoting understanding of the experiences of Black justice-involved individuals.
Assessor Training
We train and accredit IRCA Assessors through the Dalhousie University Microcredential IRCA Assessor Training offered in English and French.
Assessor Training
We train and support IRCA Assessors through the Dalhousie University IRCA Assessor Microcredential, strengthening the quality and integrity of assessments.
To become an IRCA Assessor with VDJI, you must be recognized as a clinician registered with a clinical order and possess a graduate-level (Master's or PhD) degree. You must also have:
- Successfully completed IRCA Assessor Training;
- Been trained or mentored by Natalie Hodgson;
- Obtained the Dalhousie University IRCA Assessor Microcredential
The accreditation program includes a structured curriculum, expert contributions, in-depth modules, and comprehensive training materials.
Public Education
We share knowledge about anti-Black racism and culturally informed practices in the legal system.
Public Education
VDJI’s advocacy initiatives seek to produce and disseminate educational materials and position papers highlighting the importance of culturally informed legal practices.
Community and Legal-System Engagement
Connecting community members, practitioners, and policymakers.
Community and Legal-System Engagement
We work with community members, advocacy groups, legal professionals, clinicians, and policymakers to build understanding of anti-Black racism and support change in the legal system.
Our work brings together training, education and advocacy to strengthen access to justice for Black justice-involved individuals in Canada.
Find your starting point
Choose what brings you here, and explore the next step.
Request an Impact of Race and Culture Assessment
VDJI provides IRCA writing services to Black individuals across Canada. Use the existing request form to contact the team about an assessment.
Open the IRCA request formExplore training and accreditation
Learn about the training program, clinician qualifications and accreditation requirements for VDJI IRCA Assessors. Training is offered in English and French.
Explore Training & MentorshipUnderstand Impact of Race and Culture Assessments
Explore how IRCAs provide expert clinical context about the effects of systemic racism, discrimination and marginalization.
Read the IRCA FAQsStart a conversation about collaboration
Connect with VDJI about education, advocacy and opportunities to work together.
Contact VDJILet’s advance change together.
Connect with VDJI to learn more about our work.
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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.