Last week I let you know about the motion that Councillor Wong-Tam, Perks and I are submitting to City Council for the March 31st meeting this Thursday. I have included the full text of the motion below.
Now we need your help to make sure this passes.
Please add your name in support of this motion.
Sign the petition here to ask the Mayor and City Councillors to vote in favour of ensuring police services and investigations are fair and transparent. When you sign this petition an email will be sent to the Mayor and the Speaker of Council directly. I will submit the petition Thursday morning to all members of Council.
Please sign this petition by 9am on Thursday March 31 so that we can deliver the signatures to Council at the beginning of the meeting this Thursday.
MOTION WITHOUT NOTICE
Request of the Province and the Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism to ensure Police Services and Investigations are Fair & Transparent
Moved by: Councillor Mike Layton
Seconded by: Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam
SUMMARY:
Everyone in Toronto should be able to participate fully and equally in society. This is one of the reasons the Provincial Government recently established the Anti-Racism Directorate and tasked them with applying an anti-racism lens to government policies, programs and services.
A growing movement in Toronto has been calling for a review of the provision of police services and the work of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). Black Lives Matter, community outreach workers and mental health agencies have all been speaking out and telling us that people are not being treated justly.
The Province has the authority to ensure that police services are provided equitably and that the mandate of the SIU and its procedures take into account systemic racism. Conducting such a review is a necessary and responsible response to the claims that are being made and what appears to be a growing lack of trust.
This motion is urgent as there is an escalating call for such a review from affected communities who are making the case that there is an immediate and pressing concern for safety and fairness.
The new Anti-Racism Directorate and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission should work to review the provision of police services as well as the mandate, procedures and outcomes of the SIU to determine what changes must be made to ensure people are being treated fairly. Such a review should include hearing from and consulting directly with affected communities.
Recommendation:
- 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:
- 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.
March 31, 2016