Toronto District School Board investigating teacher who allegedly used anti-Black racial slur
CBC
A teacher at an east-end Toronto high school has been placed on home assignment for allegedly using a racial slur during a class discussion on racism.
In a letter to parents and students on Thursday, the prinicpal at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute & Native Learning Centre East said the school takes the allegations very seriously as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) investigates the incident.
"During a discussion, it was reported that an anti-Black racist slur was used by a staff member," Saby Chandi wrote.
"As soon as this incident was brought to our attention, we took immediate steps to address it and we continue to investigate."
In a statement emailed to CBC Toronto, the TDSB said it was made aware of the incident on Nov. 25, a few days after it allegedly occurred at the school, located on Guildwood Parkway near Kingston Road and Markham Road in Scarborough.
Ryan Bird, the TDSB spokesperson, said the teacher was sent home on Nov. 30 after concerns were raised by students. Bird said according to the board's initial investigation, the conversation in which the teacher had allegedly used the slur was with a small group of students.
"We're committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment for all students and we regret the harm this incident caused to members of our school community," Bird said.
The school's principal said support and counselling are available to any students affected by the incident.
"We want to be clear that racism and all forms of discrimination are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school community," Chandi's letter reads.
The investigation comes one month after dozens of parents and students rallied outside Parkdale Collegiate Institute, calling on the board to address and put an end to anti-Black racism in Toronto schools.
The rally happened after a teacher — who is no longer employed by the board — wore blackface to school for Halloween.
"As we move forward, we will also be working closely with TDSB Equity Advisers to continue to deepen our teaching and learning around equity and inclusion, and to establish new strategies and tools for addressing anti- Black racism," Chandi said.
"We will also focus our efforts on supporting students to ensure they feel comfortable and empowered to report all incidents of racism and discrimination."
From the Detroit Lions losing to Apple iPhones that spontaneously update, Windsorites had things that bugged them this year.
Calgary emergency rooms are “in a state of critical overcapacity” ahead of the anticipated peak of flu season — and to cope with the surge and wait-room crowding, officials are urging doctors to speed up their decisions on whether to admit patients, according to a memo obtained by CBC News.
Northern Ontario's highway system needs improvements in order to make travel safer, a highway safety advocate said.
Hundreds of thousands of used tires are piling up across Ontario as some companies responsible for tire recycling have stopped processing tires amid reduced provincial recycling regulations for tire producers, industry experts say.
People in Guelph facing homelessness will soon have a new place to go during the day.
Islanders are reminded to plan their rides ahead of holiday festivities if they plan on drinking alcohol or using cannabis.
Even before Gwen Healey Akearok began her new role as Nunavut’s Minister of Family Services, she was tuning into the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) hearings on the state of the Family Services department.
The racial reckoning of the COVID era saw Canada grapple with its checkered past — a process that led to statues of some foundational figures being removed, in some instances by force.
Holiday traditions are front and centre for many people at this time of year. But one Uxbridge family's Christmas tradition goes above and beyond the standard Christmas carols or holiday party.
A pedestrian is dead, and police are investigating following a collision in a north London parking lot on Tuesday afternoon.
Police have lifted a shelter-in-place order for parts of St. John's.
Nova Scotia Power is providing more information about the cyberattack on the utility earlier this year and its response in the months that followed.
A rare old-growth forest in Quebec’s Mauricie region is at the centre of a growing conflict between conservation advocates and the provincial government, after forestry roadwork was authorized in an area currently under review for protected status.