The most revealing moments in government are not always the decisions that attract criticism. They are the ones that leave people wondering how an obvious omission survived every stage of planning before anyone on the inside noticed it.

That is why the controversy earlier this year surrounding Canada’s advisory council on rights, equality and inclusion deserves attention. While the appointment of retired judge Corrine Sparks addressed the council’s initial lack of Black representation, the episode raised a larger question. How does a government overlook something so obvious in the first place?

Sparks’s appointment deserves recognition in its own right. As the first Black judge in Nova Scotia and one of Canada’s most respected legal figures, she brings decades of experience, credibility and public service to the council. Her appointment strengthens its work.

The significance of her appointment goes beyond the optics of inclusion. Advisory bodies are created to improve the quality of public decision-making, and the quality of their advice depends in part on the range of experiences and expertise brought to the table. Black representation matters because anti-Black racism is experienced in many areas, including employment, housing, education, health services and the justice system.

Representation strengthens policy advice

The value of that representation lies in an ability to identify challenges that may otherwise remain overlooked. Individuals whose professional expertise, research or experience have touched on these barriers can help ensure that policy recommendations reflect the realities they are intended to address. It is not simply about who is present in the room. It is about strengthening the quality, relevance and effectiveness of public policy advice.

When the council composition was first announced, Black leaders, including former MP Jean Augustine, questioned why a body........

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