Nova Scotia

Africville residents make case for compensation in 1994, but city officials have little to say

Former residents of Africville met with the city manager in 1995 looking for answers about compensation for their lost property.

Former residents of Africville got no answers from the Halifax city manager

Despite their passionate demands for compensation at the 1994 meeting with the Halifax city manager, former residents of Africville were left frustrated. (CBC Archives)

Former residents of Africville presented their case for compensation to Halifax city manager Barry Coopersmith.during a meeting on Aug. 27, 1994.

Frustrated former residents of the once-vibrant Black community made passionate demands for compensation for their homes that were destroyed 27 years earlier. 

Despite their calls for justice, there was no response from Coopersmith to any of their questions. Watch the full 1994 report from CBC below.

This content is being presented as it was originally created and may contain references or representations of people and cultures that audiences may find offensive or triggering.

Africville compensation meeting

2 years ago
Duration 2:09
Former residents of Africville took part in an emotional meeting in 1994 with Halifax city manager Barry Coopersmith. They were looking for answers but got none.

For suggestions on content to feature in CBC's online collection of African Nova Scotia archival material, please email ansarchives@cbc.ca

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

BBIC Banner

now