Ontario Human Rights Commission marks anniversary of racial profiling report

For immediate publication

Toronto - In a statement marking the first anniversary of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s report, Paying the Price: The Human Cost of Racial Profiling, Chief Commissioner Keith Norton noted that a lot of work still needs to be done to address racial profiling.

The Report, released in December 2003, set out public concerns about racial profiling and the far-reaching impacts on individuals, families and communities.  It also made a number of recommendations for addressing this form of discrimination. Racial profiling is defined as a form of stereotyping based on assumptions that certain people are more likely to commit crime, or be a threat to public safety and security.

In his statement, Mr. Norton focused on two areas that have so far seen little action: the application of the Safe Schools Act and allegations of racial profiling by private security firms, stating that, “Many individuals in positions of leadership have still not taken action to address racial profiling in our institutions and in our communities.”

For its part, the Commission is now working towards developing a policy on racial discrimination and racism, planned for release later in the new year.  For more information on other work of the Commission dealing with racial discrimination, please visit the Commission’s Web site.

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