Premier vows to ‘stamp out’ systemic racism across Ontario
Under fire, Premier Doug Ford now acknowledges that “of course there’s systemic racism in Ontario.”
“There’s systemic racism across this country, I know it exists,” the premier said Wednesday.
His comments came after two prominent Black MPPs urged Ford to “take clear, direct and continuous action to reform the ways in which our society disadvantages Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities.”
“Sadly, until now, your government has not taken such action. In fact, you have cut critical programming to fight against racism and, in particular, to support Black youth,” wrote Liberals Mitzie Hunter (Scarborough-Guildwood) and Michael Coteau (Don Valley East).
“Yesterday in the legislature, we stood to ask you whether you believe systemic racism is real and to take concrete action to fight anti-Black racism, particularly by restoring the full funding and scope of work to the Anti-Racism Directorate and the Black youth action plan,” they continued.
In response to the queries Tuesday from the former Liberal cabinet ministers, the Progressive Conservative premier had said, “The Black community knows I have their back, and I will always have their back. “What we saw down in the United States, what happened to Mr. Floyd was nothing but disgusting,” he added, referring to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, which has triggered protests in dozens of U.S. cities.
“There’s no room here in the province for racism, not under our government, not under me, as premier. I’ve always stood up — my family has always stood up — for the Black community, anyone in the minority community,” said Ford.
“We have zero tolerance for racism — zero tolerance. We are going to move forward. We’re going to support the Black community and every other minority community here, because we are the most diversified province, jurisdiction, anywhere in North America. That’s why 99 per cent of us, we all get along.”
But speaking later to reporters, Ford said, “Thank God that we’re different than the United States and we don’t have the systemic deep roots they have had for years.”
On Wednesday, the premier admitted that he does not “know the hardships faced” by minority communities in Ontario.
“I do not have those lived experiences and I can empathize with them, but … we’ve never walked a mile in someone’s shoes that has faced racism,” he said.
“We will do everything we can and within our powers and work collectively with other parties to stamp this out.”
Hunter and Coteau said actions speak louder than words and urged the premier to restore the full scope of work and funding to the Anti-Racism Directorate.