Stiles to Ford: Don’t roll back anti-racism work in schools

TORONTO – Marit Stiles, the Leader of the Official Opposition NDP, released the following statement in support of a coalition of Black-led organizations’ efforts to ensure the upcoming generation of children are liberated from systemic racism that still permeates the everyday lives of Black and racialized people today:

“Racism on school grounds has a direct impact on the mental health of Black and racialized students. Students, teachers, and education workers alike need to be safe and supported in schools free from racism and discrimination. Making that happen requires focused work and dedicated resources, and a government that is committed to seeing it through.

The Ontario NDP calls on the provincial government to meet with the coalition of Black-led organizations immediately, hear their concerns and support their work to ensure that children have a chance to learn in supportive and affirming schools.

Anti-racism training directly corresponds to safer learning environments for Black and racialized students. We share in advocates’ concerns that the review of this unfortunate death will lead to a rollback of important equity work underway in school boards across the province. This work includes equity training and having courageous conversations about race. The Ontario NDP has long called for a comprehensive anti-racism strategy for schools that addresses and fights anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism.

This government must also work to undo the damage caused by gutting Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate. The Directorate must be fully funded; its work is urgent.

We must keep working hard and with focus to ensure Black and racialized people of this province are protected from the harmful impacts of hate and discrimination in all its forms and have equitable access to quality education.”