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Pat Dunn, minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, is shown at the Nova Scotia legislature with NDP MLA Suzy Hansen, left, and Liberal MLA Angela Simmonds in Halifax on March 24, 2022.Keith Doucette/The Canadian Press

The Nova Scotia government is proposing what it calls a “groundbreaking” bill to address systemic racism, hate and inequity in the province.

Developed by an all-party committee, the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act commits the government to developing a provincial strategy to deal with issues of racism and equity by July 2023.

It will also require other public bodies, such as municipalities, colleges and universities, to develop strategies.

Under the bill, which includes definitions for hate and racism, the government will have to submit an annual progress report on equity and anti-racism measures beginning in July 2023.

It will also see the government develop data to help monitor and address systemic hate, inequity and racism.

Pat Dunn, the minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives, says the legislation is a signal that hate and racism are not acceptable in the province.

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