7 minute read
MORE THAN WORDS NEEDED TO COMBAT RACISM IN INDUSTRY
FEATURE
Is Ontario’s construction industry a hotbed of systemic racism?
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“Hotbed” may be a term too strong, concerning an industry that one industry leader has described as having “a multi-racial, multi-cultural and incredibly diverse workforce.” That was the description offered by Richard Lyall, President of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario.
But Lyall also noted that there is a problem to be addressed, while claiming that RESCON was indeed addressing it. “We have always taken a leadership role in fighting racism and discrimination in the construction industry,” he said, at the launch of a campaign intended to unite employers, unions and governments in fighting racism in the construction industry. In our current environment, as Black Lives Matter campaigns have captured the public’s attention, a flash-point specifically concerning racism and the construction industry has been the appearance of nooses hanging at the Michael Garron Hospital construction site in Toronto—among others. These incidents—understood as a racist symbol that invokes the lynching of Black victims—took place in June, July and September.
More recently, a racist message appeared on the wall of a washroom stall on the hospital construction site, reading “This site needs a [N-word] purge.”
At time of writing, the incidents were being investigated by the Toronto Police
Hate Crime Unit, and no arrests had been reported.
Sarah Downey, president and CEO of the hospital, has made it clear she does not believe these “insidious acts” are simply individual incidents. They are, for her, “a systemic problem.”
In a statement on September 24, after two more nooses were found hanging on the site, Downey wrote, “It pains and angers me to confirm that on September 24, two more nooses were found on the EllisDon construction site on our property… Although we have been reassured by the efforts made by EllisDon and others to address racism in the construction industry, it is clear that they need to
do better. I am committed to addressing systemic and overt racism within our organization and the health sector, and will hold EllisDon and all of our partners accountable to do the same.”
Following the appearance of the blatantly racist graffiti, Downey followed up her message by stating, “I appreciate the serious response taken by EllisDon in responding to these incidents including involving Toronto Police Service, conducting safety stand downs on the site, offering support to the workers and offering financial reward for information that leads to charges. It is clear, however, that this disturbing trend requires a stronger and louder response.” She directed her comments specifically to EllisDon president and CEO Geoff Smith, “I am calling on EllisDon to do more to stop racist acts on your construction sites and on our hospital property. Access to the job site at MGH is managed by EllisDon. We believe more security and safety controls are required to safeguard the site to ensure that whoever is responsible for these acts is identified and prosecuted.”
Downey added, “Finally, I am asking for EllisDon to be a louder voice in our East Toronto community, sharing publicly the actions you are taking to dismantle anti-Black racism and to ensure the safety of the construction workers who work on this site.” Following this most recent racist act, EllisDon has offered a $5,000 reward to anyone who assists in identifying the culprits who have carried out these acts. The company stated, “EllisDon condemns this despicable racist act. Our people are not just our employees— they are our family. We know we need to do better to protect their safety, both physically and emotionally.
“Upon learning of this incident, we immediately boarded up the area and removed the graffiti. We have initiated an investigation and have already begun to upgrade the security and surveillance on the site, both to catch these criminals and to ensure that every worker is safe from discrimination, hate and bigotry.”
Two weeks before the most recent finding of nooses on the Michael Garron Hospital site, EllisDon had appointed engineer Samuel Ajobo to lead a newly formed Alliance of Black Employee Experience and Leadership.
Ajobo, who has been with the company for three years, wrote a lengthy article entitled Stamping out systemic racism, immediately after his appointment. In it, he expressed confidence that the issue of systemic racism in the construction industry will be addressed.
“From recent discussions, I am certain, and filled with hope that EllisDon wants to lead the Construction Industry in the area of doing this right. When I say ‘right’, I mean not by a quick fix, however by developing and engaging in new effective habits around active listening, while simultaneously educating, empowering and initiating an effective feedback loop to ensure we stay accountable.”
He insists that people of colour and from other minority groups must be listened to—and heard. He says, “We can’t have real change by telling people what we
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331 Sheldon Dr, Cambridge, ON N1T 1B1 think the solution to their problem is without firsthand knowledge of how they feel and what they need in order to address the problem.”
While expressing hope and confidence, Ajobo knows that there is a lot of work to be done to bring about the necessary change. He has said, “We all have a role to play in creating the change. However, the roles are not equal, as that is not possible due to the historic effect of privilege.”
There seems to be general agreement among industry and community leaders that work has to be done. The good news is, there is a will to do it.
RESCON’s Lyall commented on the nooses: “These are disturbing and shocking, racially-motivated incidents that are denounced by everyone who works in our industry. These are acts of cowardice and racism that have no place in our industry nor society… Our industry and members have zero tolerance for racism and discriminatory behaviour of any kind. Hanging a noose is a hate crime. These perpetrators will be terminated and no longer welcome in the industry.”
Bruno Giancola, chair of RESCON’s board of directors and senior vice president, project manager at Tridel, has stated, “We intend to work closely with construction employers and unions, the provincial and municipal governments to address racism in all forms.” He added that, “While the recent incidents in no way exemplify the majority of the 400,000 workers, contractors and builders who work in Ontario’s construction industry, RESCON is aware that there is a problem.”
These sentiments appear to be echoed across Canada’s construction industry. Signatories of the BlackNorth Initiative, launched in the summer of 2020, include more than 200 Canadian organizations. Many are connected to the construction industry. John Cartwright, President of the Toronto & York Region Labour Council, has stated, “Every employer and every political leader needs to show the people of Toronto there is zero tolerance for racism and hate in our workplaces and communities. Those with power in our society have a special duty to speak up and take decisive actions that are bold, lasting and truly transformative.”
Perhaps responding to such calls for action, Toronto Mayor John Tory has said that in meetings with construction unions, “we not only addressed these racist incidents but also discussed the steps we must take to foster equitable and inclusive workplaces. Both myself and the construction unions know how important it is to create a work environment that is inclusive and free of any forms of racism and discrimination. We agreed to work on a way forward.”
It’s clear that the construction industry—contractors and unions alike—are attempting to respond to racism in the industry. Racist acts, specifically the hanging of nooses on construction sites, have been condemned. Strong statements have been made. But Ajobo, who has felt the pain of being a victim of racism, knows that words are not enough.
“I am taking this moment to call on us all to stand and work together in these times,” he says. “Through real actions – not mere lip service or performative activism or just brand protection – let’s help empower love to become a dominant force in our society and hate recessive, help make equality dominant and expose racism and all forms of hate and bigotry. No more excuses for inexcusable jokes, and no more hateful actions excused with ignorance. My hope is that ignorance will be met with the opportunity for growth, and that we find empathy for those who have been the target of discrimination.”
