Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trustees vote to end participation in school resource officer program
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) trustees have voted to end the board's participation in the Ottawa police school resource officer program (SRO).
The vote came at the end of more than four-hour long meeting. The final tally was 13-1 in favour, with only trustee Donna Blackburn opposing.
Trustee Lyra Evans introduced the motion at Monday's Special Committee of the Whole meeting, calling on the board to "immediately and completely" end its engagement with the Ottawa police SRO program.
"We have heard loud and clear from our community that there is no appetite for the continuation of this program," Evans said Monday.
The board's Office of Human Rights and Equity Advisor had previously recommended the board terminate the program.
"During the consultation process we heard from many community members who were deeply impacted by police intervention in OCDSB schools," said the report from the Office of Human Rights and Equity Advisor.
"Their experiences clearly indicate that people who have been pushed to the margins in society (e.g., Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQ+ and people with disabilities) continue to be severely impacted by police presence in educational settings."
Evans's motion also call on the OCDSB to issue a formal apology to the communities and students harmed by the program—to be published on the board's website, social media channels, and in local newspapers—and to ask the City of Ottawa to allocate the funds previously assigned to the OCDSB's share of the SRO program to be used to start a mobile crisis team for youth.
Ottawa's public school board pays $95,000 for the School Resource Officer program, with Ottawa police covering the rest. Staff informed trustees last month that the 2021-22 budget does not include funding to cover the School Resource Officer program.
Police chief Peter Sloly has previously appeared before the board to defend the program, calling it a point of pride for the police service.
In a tweet Tuesday morning, former Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau praised the officers who had participated in the program.
--With files from CTVNewsOttawa.ca's Josh Pringle.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.