On June 5, 2020, Human Rights Commissioner Raj Dhir, directed a letter to Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce,  in regards to the alarming investigation uncovering  Anti-Black Racism within the Peel District School Board.  Notably, he also voices the community members’ serious concerns for the “plight of BLACK STUDENTS ACROSS THE PROVINCE.”  

Minister Stepehen Lecce, WE ARE THE COMMUNITY! 

As stated in the letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission: “Improving the well-being of Black students in the province must become a priority.” As such, investigating the practices of Peel District School Board “alone” is NOT ENOUGH! 

Black students sit in EVERY classroom across Ontario, and face the same experiences of Anti-Black Racism within our educational system. Simply highlighting this as a “Peel problem,” only grazes the surface of a much broader systemic  plague that has crippled our entire education system for generations!

On behalf of ALL Black students, and their families across Ontario; On behalf of the educators, human rights groups, and everyone in the community who wants to see an end to Anti-Black racism—and all forms of racism within our education system—ENOUGH is ENOUGH! 

This petition is a cry for action from the Ministry of Education  to mandate the immediate review of the continued practices of Anti-Black racism across ALL Ontario school boards. 

The Ontario Human Rights Commission has already highlighted that this work needs to be done! On behalf of Black students and their families across the province, this petition is our request for your unyielding support!.  

Thank you in advance for your attention to, and support on, this very important human rights matter.

Please see directly below for the letter and report mentioned in the above petition:

Ontario Human Rights Commission letter to Stephen  Lecce:

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/letter-minister-lecce-peel-district-school-board-review

Peel District School Board Anti-Black Racism Ministry Review:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/new/PDSB-investigation-final-report.pdf