2 Toronto Catholic teachers ‘no longer employed’ by board amid allegations of anti-Black racism: TCDSB

Two teachers who were placed on leave amid allegations of anti-Black racist messages shared in social media chat that was accessible to students are “no longer employed” by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).

“The Toronto Catholic District School Board can confirm that the two teachers involved in the incident at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic Secondary School are no longer employed by the Board. The matter has been reported to the Ontario College of Teachers,” the board said in a written statement provided to CP24.

The school in question is located in North York at 1440 Finch Ave. W., just west of Keele Street.

The TCDSB went on to say that an investigation was launched “as soon as school leadership became aware of the matter.”

“Once the images in question were received, the teachers were immediately removed from the school and placed on leave,” it said.

“(We take) incidents of racism and discrimination extremely seriously. We recognize the impact this incident has had on the school community and remain committed to ensuring our schools are safe, inclusive, and welcoming places for all.”

• READ MORE: 2 Toronto high school teachers placed on leave amid allegations of anti-Black racism

CP24 previously reviewed a screengrab of what appears to be a series of messages on a shared social media platform in which a racist image is shared.

Another teacher reportedly responded to that image, saying “LMAO where are the chicken wings, (explicative) (N-word) are all the same.”

The messages, which date back to the Christmas break, were screenshotted and reported to the school’s principal by a pupil who had access to the school’s Student Athletic Association Instagram account, according to Parents of Black Children (PoBC).

‘Blatant anti-Black racism’: advocacy group

The advocacy group has called what occurred “blatant anti-Black racism,” saying that it has been “formally engaged” by concerned parents of students at the school who are “seeking justice and accountability regarding an egregious incident of anti-Black racism.”

“The exchange included the use of the N-Word and harmful racial stereotypes targeting Black people,” a Feb. 19 release stated.

Parents of Black Children has accused school officials of a “delay in administrative action and in notifying the Superintendent” about the incident.

“Students further report that during a subsequent meeting, the racist content was not directly addressed, and concerns raised by students were minimized,” it said.

CP24 has also obtained and listened to an audio clip reportedly from that meeting, during which a male educator appears to be speaking to students about the incident, saying that “whatever it is, it’s in the past, it’s done.”

He goes on to say that he doesn’t want anyone to have any “negative feelings or feel a certain way.”

“Let’s move beyond this,” the teacher is heard saying, adding while “things get portrayed in a certain way .... it’s not who we are as individuals.”

“Let’s put it to rest,” he says, later apologizing for the incident.

‘Fear of retaliation’

Parents of Black Children has said that members of the school’s Student Athletic Association, which includes Black girls, have “expressed fear of retaliation, including concerns about potential academic consequences that could impact university admissions,” if they speak out about the racist incident publicly.

“Staff and students have reported feeling unsafe and lacking confidence in the administrations handling of the matter,” PoBC said in its news release.

The group has also issued four demands, including calling for the immediate removal of the involved teachers from classroom duties pending investigation, a full and transparent investigation by the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), clear communication from the TCDSB to the school community, and explicit protections against retaliation for students and staff who have come forward.

The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT), which licenses, governs and regulates the province’s teaching profession, previously told CP24 that it is “aware of the allegations and is taking them seriously.”

CP24 has reached out to PoBC and OCT for a follow-up comment.

With files from CP24’s Bryann Aguilar