FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 9, 2001

Premier should condemn "ethnic profiling," OPSEU says

The union representing provincial employees has called on Premier Mike Harris to make a clear statement against so-called "ethnic profiling" that targets visible minorities as suspects.

Harris recently hired retired General Lewis Mackenzie as his top security advisor. Mackenzie is on record as favouring ethnic profiling to combat terrorism, a policy that would allow police to single out persons for extra scrutiny because of their skin colour, religion, birthplace or accent.

Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, called on Harris to officially break ties with his new advisor's views.

"Thousands of the government's own employees are members of visible minorities and could be suspects if this sort of misguided policy gains a foothold," Casselman said.

"Ontario is home to people of  all backgrounds, and it would be a travesty if our tradition of multiculturalism and racial tolerance  is lost," she said.

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For further information: Leah Casselman: 416/443-8888 Paul Bilodeau, OPSEU Communications: 416/443-8888