York trustee apologizes for using racial slur
Critics call for resignation of 82-year-old Nancy Elgie after incident in November
Alongtime York Region school trustee has admitted to using a racial slur against a black parent, emailing an apology for the “horribly unacceptable statement” as calls for her resignation continue.
“There is no excuse for what I said, only the explanation that I was clumsily trying to refer to your concerns as reported in the media, not to you personally,” said Nancy Elgie of the incident in November when she referred to Charline Grant as a n-----, in public, after a meeting.
“As soon as my brain registered what I had said, I was overcome with shock and dismay. I felt heartsick and deeply ashamed to have said something so hurtful — even unintentionally — and so foreign to the values I have held throughout my entire life,” wrote Elgie, 82, who represents Georgina. “It also sickened me that I could have reinforced the systemic racism that so many have experienced in our society.”
Grant told the Star that she appreciates the apology, “and I appreciate the fact that she acknowledged that she did say it, but I am annoyed at the process,” which Grant says confirms the board is still not open or transparent. She is also upset that no steps have been taken to discipline Elgie. In the email, Elgie said she will attend the same equity training provided to all trustees.
“It’s definitely not OK, and it’s definitely not enough,” Grant said. “She didn’t hurt me privately; she hurt me publicly. She didn’t just hurt me; she hurt my family and she hurt my community.”
In an email to the Star, Elgie said she apologized “and immediately explained to the person with whom I was speaking and have now extend- ed that apology to the parent and others affected . . . I was fully open with the investigator about what happened and accept her finding. Naturally, it is clear that by using such a horrible word, even inadvertently, I breached the policy. That is why I have tried to apologize and explain.”
But an apology, via email, “is a paltry attempt at best,” said Shernett Martin of the Vaughan African Canadian Association. “Ms. Grant deserves far more than Nancy Elgie’s few paragraphs asking us to see past her one racist indiscretion. This elected official, who tossed the word n----- around in the presence of her colleagues as if it was deep within her personal vernacular, is a disgrace to education and elected office.
“We call on her to resign or be removed. This is not the kind of trustee any of us should want leading our school board and precious children.”
As an elected official, Elgie cannot be removed or forced to resign.
In an email, trustee Loralea Carruthers, chair of the York Region District School Board, said “it remains clear that our board has a lot of work to do to regain public trust and make necessary changes, and I am committed to working together with par- ents, students and staff to ensure we do so.”
Elgie did not respond to questions about whether she would resign.
The York board is already in hot water with the province after a string of controversies, including numerous complaints about racist incidents and Islamophobia that have been ignored, as well as a lack of transparency. Education Minister Mitzie Hunter is in the midst of reviewing the board’s response to her demand that it outline how it will address racism and improve openness about trustee spending.
On Friday, Hunter said, “It’s very important to parents and a priority for me that issues of racism and discrimination are not tolerated in our education system. It is my expectation that all of our publicly funded schools are inclusive and safe places for student well-being and learning.
“Due to the severity of this issue, it is essential that I take the necessary time to review the York Region District School Board’s action plan in response to concerns raised by local parents and community organizations. I am focused on the entire board and how they intend to build public confidence in their communities on this important issue and en- sure that these serious concerns are addressed in a manner that will restore public confidence in the board’s ability to meet the needs of its diverse population.”
The board is also the subject of a human rights complaint, launched by the Vaughan African Canadian Association and the National Council of Canadian Muslims on behalf of a number of families. And Grant has a separate, ongoing human rights case over alleged discrimination her son has faced.
Normally, trustees are subject to a code of conduct complaint, which must be brought forward by a fellow trustee. Under the code, a trustee is investigated and can be sanctioned by colleagues. However, in Elgie’s case, the director decided to pursue an independent investigation under the board’s Respectful Workplaces and Learning Environments Policy, intended for staff. The subsequent report, finished three weeks after it was supposed to have been completed, was shared internally with the staff who complained and with Elgie.
As a result of the investigation, Elgie issued the apology, but little else has been shared with anyone, including Grant, who said Elgie’s email came out of the blue.