NDP: Interim report confirms community fears that Ford government isn’t serious about addressing anti-Black racism

Provincial reviewers say government approach unlikely to provide “deeper and more thorough consultations”

QUEEN’S PARK — Following the release of the province’s interim report on racism and discrimination in the Peel District School Board, Official Opposition critic for Anti-Racism, Citizenship and Immigration, Laura Mae Lindo released the following statement:

“It is deeply disturbing to hear from the province’s own reviewers that the Ford government’s inquiry into anti-Black racism in the Peel District School Board ‘may not satisfy the desire within the community for deeper and more thorough consultations’. New Democrats join with Black communities across Ontario in reminding Minister Stephen Lecce and the Doug Ford government that meaningfully addressing anti-Black racism is the reason for this inquiry and that pushing these important concerns to future consultations ‘under a renewed mandate’ is unacceptable.

For years, Black communities have been shining a light on structural discrimination and the many disturbing incidents of anti-Black racism that led to the creation of this probe. And for years, both Liberal and Conservative governments have hidden behind vague mandates and blanket inquiries, rather than directly and meaningfully addressing anti-Black racism.

The NDP’s Black Caucus has been proactively relaying community concerns that Minister Lecce has been repeatedly unwilling or unable to get the fundamentals of this review right – whether it is ensuring Black reviewers and outreach staff are at the table, or making the review accessible and transparent to students and parents who have faced anti-Black racism. Meanwhile, parents are being asked to continue to send their children into environments that may be unwelcoming or downright hostile without any indication that the Ford government is prepared to address these problems.

Ontarians who are worried about anti-Black racism and discrimination in our schools deserve a government that takes the dignity of Black children, parents and their families seriously. Sadly, with the release of this interim report, it seems that the Ford government is determined to pass the buck on this critical issue.”