Legault should admit to systemic racism in Quebec: Red Coalition

• By Dan Laxer The Suburban, Oct 16, 2024

Quebec Premier François Legault continues to deny that there is systemic racism in Quebec, despite evidence, and testimony to the contrary, says the Red Coalition. The Coalition is calling on the premier to change his stance, lest it lead to a rise in racialized violence.
Legault’s insistence goes back a few years. But the Red Coalition, a group working toward the elimination of racial profiling and systemic racism, reiterated the call for Legault to change his stance after the recent story of a Longueuil boy who was allegedly scalded with boiling water by a neighbour. The woman, Stephanie Borel, 46, was initially released on a promise to appear in court in January, but police have since rearrested her, and charged her with aggravated assault. Police have not said whether race played a role in the attack. Still, the Coalition says that the lenient handling of the woman’s initial arrest “serves as yet another reminder that, in Quebec, justice is far from equal, and systemic failures continue to place marginalized lives in jeopardy. The government’s efforts to combat racism have been superficial at best.”
A coroner’s report into the circumstances of the 2020 death of Joyce Echaquan also called for the recognition of systemic racism in the province. But the premier refused to budge, even four years later. The Coalition took the opportunity to call out Bill 21 and Bill 96, saying both have — under the guise of protecting Quebec’s cultural identity — exacerbated division and discrimination.
The Coalition stated that “the Legault administration’s denial and inaction have contributed to significant challenges for racialized communities in Quebec. The continued failure to recognize systemic racism and implement substantial anti-discrimination measures is contributing to an environment where accountability is lacking, and discriminatory attitudes persist. Until Premier Legault confronts the systemic nature of racism, Quebec will continue to face challenges in addressing hate and discrimination, which are, at times, reflected in certain laws and policies.”