NDP: Carding will not build trust with communities during COVID-19 pandemic

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement regarding the Ford government’s decision to give provincial offences officers the ability to card Ontarians during the COVID-19 pandemic:
“I join Black, Indigenous and racialized communities across Ontario in expressing concern at the province’s decision to give provincial offences officers the ability to card Ontarians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, the government has to proactively build trust with communities, so we can all work together to stop the spread of COVID-19. There is never a right time to take a step backward in the fight against racism. Legalized carding is a giant step backward and must end. This regulation should never have been introduced.
I’m calling on the government to explain how it intends to guard against abuse of these additional powers, and what recourse Black, Indigenous and racialized Ontarians will have if they are unfairly and disproportionately targeted. Black, Indigenous and racialized Ontarians deserve to feel safe during a crisis just like everyone else. End carding for good, now."