TORONTO – The union representing Ontario’s front-line
correctional officers is calling on Premier Dalton McGuinty to intervene in
a human rights abuse case that has gone on for over 18 years.
OPSEU President Leah Casselman, in a press conference held at
Queen’s Park today, said that government’s handling of the case of Michael
McKinnon vs. the Ministry of Correctional Services has been “a complete and
utter travesty.”
“Brother McKinnon has been fighting racism and harassment at
Toronto East Detention Centre for over 18 years,” Casselman told the press
conference. “He has repeatedly gone in front of the Ontario Human Rights
Tribunal with only one goal: to be able to go to work without being called
racist names, without harassment, and to be treated just like everyone
else.”
Despite repeated wins at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal,
nothing changed for McKinnon as the Corrections Ministry either ignored
Tribunal orders for change or appealed decisions. “For over a decade, the
Ministry has resisted implementing legal orders for modest changes that
would vindicate my rights as a human being - and let me and my wife return
to work,” Michael McKinnon said.
A 300-page decision released by the Tribunal on January 30,
2007 severely criticized the Ministry for conduct that was “shameful”, found
that the Ministry had buried complaints from McKinnon or investigated them
in an incompetent manner, and financially and morally supported employees
who had been found guilty of human rights violations.
Casselman is calling on Dalton McGuinty to immediately take a
personal interest in this matter. “I am demanding that the Premier take
steps to ensure that there will be no more delays, no more studies, no more
appeals and no more denials of basic human rights in Ontario Corrections.”
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For further information:
Roman Stoykewych, OPSEU General Counsel (416) 443-8888
