A 252-page report released yesterday by the Office de Consultation publique de Montreal says the city has failed to recognize its role in systemic racism and accuses it of 'turning a blind eye”.
The report comes with 11 main findings and 38 recommendations so Mayor Valerie Plant pledged to use it as a road map to rid the city of systemic racism starting with the appointment of a commissioner for the fight against racism and discrimination and plans to get Montreal police equipped with body cameras.
Quebec creates an action group to fight racism
“Thanks to this report we have a roadmap to guide our efforts,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante during a press conference to address the document on Monday.
Plante announced on Monday that she is mandating for the director general, Serge Lamontagne, to create the position of a commissioner for the fight against racism and discrimination between now and the fall. There are also plans to move forward with equipping the Montreal police force with body cameras. As an employer, the city will take "concrete and measurable actions" to make sure its staff is more representative of the diversity that exists in Montreal.