June 15th, 2021

NDP demands Ford take action on systemic anti-Black racism within government institutions

KITCHENER - The Ford government must stop lagging behind on tackling anti-Black racism within its own institutions, said NDP Anti-Racism critic, Laura Mae Lindo, in response to reports — including new reporting by the CBC — of discrimination in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) highlighting that Anti-Black racism has been left unaddressed and harassment against Black employees within the government are "persistent and unyielding”.

“The Solicitor General is presumed to be responsible for anti-racism initiatives within the public service and across this province. This includes addressing anti-Black racism no matter where it is found. And yet, with every letter I have written asking her to engage and do her job, she dismisses our concerns. Racism in general and anti-Black racism in particular are more than a Human Resources issue. While this government absolves themselves of any responsibility, Black Ontario public service employees are begging for help.

Ministry after ministry, report after report, it is clear that neither the Conservative nor Liberal governments know how to address anti-Black racism in their own backyards. The Liberal government left the implementation of this work up to chance. They provided no funding for the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) sub-committees - not even for the one meant to address anti-Black racism established at the same time that Black OPS workers were ringing the alarm bells. Under the Conservatives, every last one of those sub-committees was swiftly and quietly disbanded. Until you model racial equity and racial justice in leadership, the broader community will suffer.

We stand with the Ontario Public Service employees who demand that this government be held accountable. Apologies are not enough. Government employees deserve a strategy that takes their complaints seriously. Anything else is a slap in the face.”