The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC / CODP) once again condemned racism against Black individuals by the Toronto Police Service, the capital of the province, in a report issued today.

The report titled "From Impact to Action" presents over 100 recommendations to address issues of systemic discrimination, racial profiling, and racism following an investigation conducted by the commission that lasted nearly six years.

"Systemic racial discrimination, racial profiling, and racism against Black people exist everywhere Black individuals interact with the Toronto Police Service," said Patricia DeGROOT, Chair of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

This time, the commission recommends taking "legally mandated measures" in an attempt to end ongoing issues.

It calls for the establishment of "accountability mechanisms in the area of racial profiling and discrimination."

An analysis of "thousands of pages of documents" in addition to interviews with the Toronto Police Service and the Toronto Police Services Board revealed "gaps in policies, procedures, training, and accountability mechanisms" at the Toronto Police and the municipal board overseeing police operations, according to the report.

These shortcomings have contributed to "perpetuating discrimination and fueling Black people's mistrust of the police," according to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

This new study follows two previous reports, "Collective Impact" (2018) and "Divergent Impact" (2020), issued by the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

In its 2020 report, the commission found that Black individuals in Toronto were disproportionately stopped, charged, and subjected to force by the city’s police.

In its 2018 report, the commission focused on racial profiling and discrimination against Black individuals within the Toronto Police Service.

Last year, an analysis conducted by the Toronto Police Service concluded that the use of force by its officers disproportionately impacts individuals belonging to racial minorities.

"Comprehensive change is essential and needs to occur across all sectors of our police service. This must include our leadership, our culture, our accountability mechanisms, our training, our education, and so on," said Myron Demkiw, Chief of the Toronto Police Service, in a joint press release with the Toronto Police Services Board.

"We are listening to you, whether you are a member of the Black communities in Toronto or a member of our police service," said Anne Morgan, Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board.

We recognize that while we have begun to make strides toward change, there is a need for further change, which must be sustainable, inclusive, and deep.

Citing Anne Morgan, Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board

The Toronto Police Service will now begin to study the recommendations contained in the report "in collaboration with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, as well as consulting with the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee of the Toronto Police Services Board and other community stakeholders."