Deputation for TDSB Budget Consultation with Supervisor Paul Christie
by Vickie McPhee
Parent and Community Advocate
July 8, 2003
Greetings to All:
For me, today is a very sad day. It is a sad day because we the parents of the students in the TDSB are again called to beg and plead with a [provincially appointed TDSB Supervisor] that knows he is wrong and knows the job that he is employed to do is wrong. I have many questions to ask of you today Mr. Christie and I know you do not have the willingness, capacity or desire to answer but I will ask anyway.
I have said it before and I'll continue to say it. "The TDSB and the provincial government are engaging in the worst act of systemic racism in the history of the Public Education System."
Mr. Christie, I ask you, why have you called these public meetings? Your true intention and the intention of your government are to create a segregated school system. The desire for a [Eurocentric] education system is of greater importance to you and your government now more than ever.
You are asking people to speak to the need for more money in the public education system. You are asking people to tell you how your cuts have impacted on students, parents, and communities. You want to assess whether your racist policies are having the effect you want and need to be successful at your job. Well sir, I am here to tell you, you are very successful.
Let me help to assure you and your government, that you have effectively destroyed public education in the areas you were instructed to do so in. The fears of this government that its' [ideological] statusquo is in greater jeopardy with the increased diversity of its' schools is what motivates every decision, policy and action taken by you.
The International Languages Programs, specifically the African Heritage Program continues to be under deliberate and constant attack by the Board and the province. The International Languages Programs at Brock Public School have been reduced from 10 hours/week to 7/week. The program instructors have to reapply for their positions. Your cuts have reduced the programs at Dundas Public school from 30 hours/week to 12 hours. Other schools like Lord Dufferin suffer the same effects.
Are you feeling assured yet?
Dovercourt School has lost 2 programs already. Do you think you should continue to make cuts to the International Languages Programs?
Mr. Christie do you have any idea of the living and lived experiences for Black children as young as 6 years old and youth in the TDSB? Let me help you.
Each and everyday they are sent into an environment where firstly they are not welcomed.
Secondly they are not represented in staff or administrative personal, the curriculum is exclusive and racist in its delivery, the Education Act [Safe Schools act] is designed to harass them and the Code of Conduct is executed on them by some of the most racist people in the school system. [The safe Schools Coordinator] should be fired and charged with the crimes he is guilty of.
Lastly, from the moment the National Anthem is played they are reminded that this is not their land, home or school.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission is now looking at cases of Racial Profiling in the TDSB schools. I ask you, will you continue the cuts to public education that are clearly racist to each and every Black student?
I would like to leave you with something to think about. What will you and your government do when the parents of Black students in the TDSB pull together and file a class action lawsuit for the inherent systemic racism in the public education system? There is a group of Black Community woman that is proposing to the African community that we lodge a lawsuit in the 2003-2004 school year.
I ask you, will the board have the resources to compensate the huge number of African students affected by the inherant systemic racism that moves the cuts to public education.
© 2003 Ontario Network for Human Rights, All Rights Reserved. Explicit consent is required to reprint, quote or use this deputation. Created on July 8, 2003.