The Government of Ontario: end the discriminatory police practice entitled 'Street Checks'.

The Ontario government is currently undertaking a consultation process to move forward on regulating carding (street checks), a practice whereby police are able to engage and record interactions with individuals whose activities and/or presence in a particular context they deem ‘out of ordinary’.

This encounter is independent of the existing investigative tools that empower police to stop, question, and detain people in Canada if they believe that there is a “reasonable possibility, rather than probability, of crime by person(s) in question”.

The government implies that carding must be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code. The government acknowledges the damaging effects of street checks by noting “street checks can create harm and victimization for racialized individuals”.

Yet, despite knowing the damage caused to communities of color (who are disproportionately targeted by carding), the government is choosing to regulate the practice - thus legitimatizing racial profiling and street harassment of racialized and Indigenous peoples.

Carding or street checks continue the legacy of over policing and surveilling of low income communities and communities of colour. Carding is very much akin to the highly controversial and racist ‘Stop and Frisk’ practice in New York City.

Faced with the refusal of the government to repeal this discriminatory and highly destructive policy, it is imperative to voice opposition to carding and to take action where possible.

Please sign the following petition in support of the full abolishment of carding which is seen as a ‘necessary and valuable tool for police to keep communities safe and secure’ by the cops and the government.