Statement on Anti-Racism and Fairness in Police Services and Investigations

Increasingly people are recognizing the detrimental, and often tragic, impact of systemic racism, especially anti-Black racism, in our
society, and the responsibility of government, law enforcement and the justice system to address it. There is a growing movement
calling on elected officials to be a part of making this change.
We have heard the urgency needed in addressing systemic racism, especially as it relates to the policing and investigations, because
of the serious impact it has on people's lives.
This is also an issue we are familiar with as Trustees. We know that this issue disproportionately affects young Black people,
including our students, on their way to and from school, or their friends, neighbours and family members.
For that reason, in June 2015, Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Trustees responded and passed a motion to join the call to
cancel the practice of carding, that existing carding data be purged and that any new policy require a clear understanding of the
individuals rights, as well as a receipt of the interaction.
"Whereas, youth living in Torontos inner city communities are disproportionately affected by the practice
of police carding; and
Whereas, the Inner City Advisory Committee opposes carding; and
Whereas, the Board should join city of Toronto mayor, John Tory in calling for the cancellation of carding;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Chair write a letter to the Toronto Police Services Board to request that
existing carding data be purged and that any new policy require that all persons stopped by a police officer
be informed of their rights and receive a receipt of the interaction."
In that spirit, we support the motion put forward to Toronto City Council to ensure that Police Services and Investigations are Fair
and Transparent and we ask that Councillors and the Province support this request:
"1. City Council request the Premier, the Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism and the new Anti-Racism
Directorate, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and the Ontario Civilian Police
Commission to review the following with an anti-black racism and anti-racism lens:
1.
2.

The manner in which police services are provided within the City of Toronto; and
The mandate, procedures and outcomes of the Special Investigations Unit with respect to the
treatment of cases that involve victims from racialized communities

Further, that such review include public consultation."

Additionally, at the next regular meeting of the TDSB, a motion has been put forward to create a Black Student Achievement
Advisory Committee, to engage staff, Trustees, community members and students themselves, to support Black students to flourish
in our schools.
Every family should feel secure in knowing that their loved ones will not be unfairly targeted when they leave home each day.
Every student in our public education system, and young person in our city, should feel safe, welcome, and seen for all they have to
contribute to building Toronto.
We affirm our support for a Toronto where we actively address systemic racism and ensure all people have the opportunity to
succeed.
Signed:
Chris Glover, Trustee for TDSB Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre
Pamela Gough, Trustee for TDSB Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore
Tiffany Ford, Trustee for TDSB Ward 4, York West
Howard Kaplan, Trustee for TDSB Ward 5, York Centre
Chris Tonks, Trustee for TDSB Ward 6, York South-Weston
Robin Pilkey, Chair & Trustee for TDSB Ward 7, Parkdale High Park
Jennifer Arp, Vice Chair & Trustee for TDSB Ward 8, Eglinton-Lawrence
Marit Stiles, Trustee for TDSB Ward 9, Davenport
Ausma Malik, Trustee for TDSB Ward 10, Trinity-Spadina
Shelley Laskin, Trustee for TDSB Ward 11, St.Pauls

Alexander Brown, Trustee for TDSB Ward 12, Willowdale

Gerri Gershon, Trustee for TDSB Ward 13, Don Valley West
Jennifer Story, Trustee for TDSB Ward 15, Toronto-Danforth
Sheila Cary-Meagher, Trustee for TDSB Ward 16, Beaches-East York
Ken Lister, Trustee for TDSB Ward 17, Don Valley East
Parthi Kandavel, Trustee for TDSB Ward 18, Scarborough Southwest
Manna Wong, Trustee for TDSB Ward 20, Scarborough-Agincourt
Neethan Shan, Trustee for TDSB Ward 21, Scarborough-Rouge River
Jerry Chadwick, Trustee for TDSB Ward 22, Scarborough East
Hamima Fattah, TDSB Student Trustee