OPP discriminated against migrant workers during DNA sweep: Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) has ruled that the OPP racially discriminated against migrant farm workers during a search for a suspected rapist in Elgin County in 2013.
According to the ruling, which was issued on Aug. 15, “the Ontario Provincial Police discriminated based on race, colour and place of origin” when it conducted a DNA sweep of 100 migrant farm workers during a sexual assault investigation.
The tribunal’s ruling also determined that dozens of farm workers had to hand over DNA samples even though most of the workers did not match the suspect description or were able to provide an alibi.
“The OPP failed to adequately ensure that vulnerable workers were able to provide voluntary and informed consent to the DNA collection,” the ruling says.
The tribunal identified 54 workers who were negatively impacted by the investigation.
The sexual assault was reported on a farm in Elgin County in 2013. A worker from Trinidad who declined to provide a DNA sample was eventually arrested and pleaded guilty, receiving a seven year jail sentence.
Contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code, the tribunal identified that “race, colour and place of origin” were factors in the conduct of OPP.
“Migrant workers are among the most vulnerable workers in Ontario, and we must continue to offer them the protections that all workers and community members are entitled to,” said OHRC Chief Commissioner Patricia DeGuire in the ruling. “The OHRC is pleased with the result because of the historical challenges of establishing race-based cases.”
According to the ruling, the next phase will consist of evidentiary and legal hearings on appropriate non-monetary and public interest remedies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.