'Waste of time': Man speaks out after commission dismisses profiling complaint against Repentigny police
A human rights group is calling on Quebec to review how complaints against police are handled, focusing on one force in particular: the Service de police de la Ville de Repentigny (SPVR).
Fo Niemi, head of the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), claimed complaints against Repentigny police brought forward to the police ethics commissionner are too-often thrown out.
"Over the last 10 years, there hasn't been one single decision or tribunal on racial profiling in Repentigny despite all these complaints," Niemi said at a press conference Sunday.
He was joined by teacher Francois Ducas, a Black man who says he was unjustly stopped and questioned by SPVR officers five years ago.
Ducas felt he had been racially profiled because he was driving a luxury car -- and it wasn't the first time he'd been stopped.
But after filing a complaint, Ducas said he could tell right away that mediator was in favour of police.
The mediator allegedly told Ducas that nothing would have happened if he had just obeyed police orders.
"All I wanted [...] was to make myself heard and get justice," he recounted.
"I could see for myself that it was a waste of time."
Niemi pointed out that while the police ethics commissioner regularly dismisses racial profiling complaints, other tribunals rule in favour.
In Ducas' case, Quebec's human rights tribunal awarded him $8,000.
"We have to ask the question as to, is the police ethics system working when it comes to Repentigny police," Niemi said.
In a statement, Quebec's Public Security Ministry said that when it comes to the police ethics commissioner, the complaint process is independent and rigorous.
While the City of Repentigny wouldn't comment specifically on CRARR's statements, a spokesperson told CTV news that for more than two years, Repentigny has worked to modernize its police force to serve all citizens.
But Niemi says it's not enough.
"We need to see more training for police ethics people. Sometimes you get to the tribunal, you can see that the police ethics committee judges just don't understand racial profiling."
Ducas says the solution is abolishing article 636 of Quebec's highway safety code, which allows police to stop drivers randomly.
"The only thing that can put an end to our suffering is the abolishment of that law."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2nd woman found dead in English Bay: Vancouver police
For the second time in as many days, a woman's body was found near Vancouver's shoreline Monday.
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party's presidential nominee: AP survey
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party's nominee against Republican Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press survey taken in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for re-election.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
IN PICTURES Here's what Calgary's new event centre 'Scotia Place' will look like
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
Harris steps into the limelight. And the coconut trees and memes have followed
If you're trying to get up to speed on Vice President Kamala Harris' swift emergence as Democrats' possible nominee this fall, you really need to know your memes.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.