Open letter from Ontario NDP’s LGBTQ Issues critic Cheri DiNovo to Ontario’s Attorney General on the Project Marie sting operation

Open letter from Ontario NDP’s LGBTQ Issues critic Cheri DiNovo to Ontario’s Attorney General on the Project Marie sting operation

Dear Minister Naqvi,

I am writing to express deep concerns regarding the recent Project Marie sting operation conducted by Toronto Police Service at Marie Curtis Park.

We have learned that Toronto Police had been performing undercover sting operations in Marie Curtis Park trying to lure gay men and trans people to proposition them for sex. 72 people have been charged, many for minor by-law infractions.

Considering these were minor by-law infractions, this also raises many questions about the use of police resources. An undercover sting operation should be for serious crimes — not for intimidating and harassing gay men and trans people who are meeting each other in public spaces. 

We do not need to look far back in Ontario’s history to know that anti-LGBTQ actions like this ruined many lives. As Ontario’s Attorney General, I urge you to immediately order all 89 charges against these 72 individuals be dropped before more lives are ruined.

 

Regards,

[original signed]

Cheri DiNovo
Critic for LGBTQ Issues, Ontario NDP