2 Toronto high school teachers placed on leave amid allegations of anti-Black racism

Two teachers at a Catholic high school in North York have been placed on leave amid allegations of anti-Black messages shared in a social media conversation that was accessible to students.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) has confirmed to CP24 that the educators in question work at James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School, at 1440 Finch Ave. W., just west of Keele Street.

CP24 has 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 the image, saying “LMAO where are the chicken wings, (explicative) (N-word) are all the same.”

The messages were ultimately captured and reported to school staff by a student, according to the advocacy group Parents of Black Children.

“Matters involving students, particularly allegations of racism and other forms of discrimination, are addressed and investigated immediately. In this case, the Board acted swiftly and in alignment with this approach placed both staff members on leave,” the board said in a written statement. “Supports were put in place and will remain available for students and staff who may have been affected. Racism and discrimination are unacceptable and inconsistent with the standards of the teaching profession.”

The TCDSB went on to say that it has “taken all possible actions.”

‘Blatant anti-Black racism’: advocacy group

Parents of Black Children (PoBC) is calling what occurred “blatant anti-Black racism.”

The organization, in a news release, said is has been “formally engaged” by concerned parents of students at James Cardiner McGuigan Catholic Secondary School, who are “seeking justice and accountability regarding an egregious incident of anti-Black racism.”

It said that the messages date back to the Christmas break racist and were exchanged between two Ontario Certified Teachers on the school’s Student Athletic Association Instagram account, which is accessible to students.

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

The group said while a student captured a screenshot of the messages and reported them to school staff, there was a “delay in administrative action and in notifying the Superintendent.”

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

Audio of meeting recorded

CP24 has 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’

The advocacy group, however, noted that the school’s Athletic Association includes Black female students, many of whom 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.

It 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.

‘An opportunity to do the right thing’

Parents of Black Children, meanwhile, are saying that Black students “deserve to attend school without fear” and Black educators “deserve to work in environments rooted in integrity and accountability.”

“Our communities deserve transparency. … This incident is not simply about offensive language. It is about the safety, dignity, and psychological well-being of Black students in publicly funded Catholic education. It is about whether those entrusted with educating young people are held to a standard that protects,” it said.

“PoBC will continue to support affected students and educators and will advocate for meaningful action.”

Liverpool said the TCDSB now has “an opportunity to do the right thing,” but PoBc is prepared to pursue legal action, if necessary.

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

CP24 has also reached out to the Ministry of Education but has not yet received a response.