Wanda Thomas Bernard

Wanda Thomas Bernard
Name	Wanda Thomas Bernard
Birth date	1953
Birth place	Halifax, Nova Scotia
Occupation	Social worker, Senator, Professor
Alma mater	Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie University
Known for	Social work, anti-racism advocacy, Senate of Canada

Wanda Thomas Bernard is a Canadian social worker, educator, and former Senator who served in the Senate of Canada representing Nova Scotia. A prominent advocate for anti-racism, public health, and social justice, she combined academic leadership at a major Canadian university with community activism and parliamentary work. Bernard's career spans roles in higher education, community organizations, and federal public service, influencing policy debates on equity, health, and human rights.

Early life and education

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bernard attended local schools before pursuing post-secondary studies at Mount Saint Vincent University and Dalhousie University. At Mount Saint Vincent she completed undergraduate work in social work and related fields, later undertaking graduate studies at Dalhousie where she focused on clinical practice and community interventions. Her academic formation connected her with faculty and researchers across Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Institute for Research on Women, and regional health authorities in Nova Scotia Health Authority jurisdictions. Early mentors and colleagues included faculty from Saint Mary’s University and researchers affiliated with Canadian Institutes of Health Research projects, situating her within networks addressing social determinants of health and community-based practice.

Academic and social work career

Bernard served as a professor and later as a senior academic administrator at several institutions, most notably at Dalhousie University where she helped shape social work curricula and anti-racism pedagogy. Her teaching and research intersected with practitioners in agencies such as the African Nova Scotian Community Association and networks linked to United Way Halifax and provincial child welfare services. Bernard’s publications and presentations engaged audiences at conferences hosted by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education, the International Federation of Social Workers, and regional forums like the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority. She developed community-based research partnerships with organizations including Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and public health units in Halifax Regional Municipality.

In parallel to academic duties, Bernard practiced social work in clinical and community settings, collaborating with provincial departments and non-governmental organizations such as African Nova Scotian Affairs Program, Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, and local mental health agencies. Her work emphasized culturally competent practice, anti-oppression frameworks, and program evaluation, drawing from methodologies discussed in venues like the Canadian Evaluation Society and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council-funded initiatives.

Political career

Bernard was appointed to the Senate of Canada by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, representing the province of Nova Scotia in the federal chamber. In the Senate she participated in committees and legislative reviews connected to health policy, human rights, and social affairs, working alongside members from parties and groups such as the Independent Senators Group and collaborators across affiliations with members formerly from the Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada. Her parliamentary interventions engaged with statutes and national debates involving agencies like Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and institutions such as the Supreme Court of Canada when relevant jurisprudence intersected with social justice questions.

During her tenure, Bernard sponsored motions and contributed to studies examining issues tied to anti-racism, elder care, and access to services, coordinating with provincial delegations from Nova Scotia House of Assembly and national stakeholder groups including the Canadian Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Her Senate work drew on expertise from prior academic collaborations and community partners.

Advocacy and public service

Bernard has been active in advocacy on behalf of racialized communities, elder advocacy, and equity initiatives, collaborating with organizations such as the Black Business Initiative, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, and national coalitions addressing systemic discrimination like the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. She has spoken at events organized by the United Nations Association in Canada, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, and provincial advisory bodies addressing multiculturalism and inclusion.

Her public service extends to board and advisory roles with health and social service institutions, working alongside governance bodies of organizations like the IWK Health Centre, regional universities, and community development agencies. Bernard engaged in public education campaigns linked to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action when those intersected with service delivery, while also liaising with legal advocacy groups including the Native Women’s Association of Canada and human rights legal clinics to address systemic barriers.

Personal life and honours and awards

Bernard’s honours include recognitions from academic and community institutions in Nova Scotia and nationally, reflecting contributions to social work, anti-racism education, and public life. Awards and honorary titles have been conferred by organizations such as Mount Saint Vincent University, provincial cultural institutions, and professional societies including the Canadian Association of Social Workers and the Order of Canada-related civic acknowledgments where applicable. She has delivered keynote addresses at events hosted by Dalhousie University, the Association of Black Social Workers, and national conferences, receiving lifetime achievement commendations and public service awards.

Outside of professional life, Bernard is connected with community groups in Halifax Regional Municipality and cultural institutions like the African Nova Scotian Music Association and the Black Cultural Society of regional prominence. Her legacy includes mentorship of emerging social workers and continued engagement with networks that span universities, health authorities, and national policy forums.

Category:Canadian social workers Category:Members of the Senate of Canada from Nova Scotia Category:People from Halifax, Nova Scotia