Bob Rae - a racist? Though this March 8, 1992 Toronto Star article suggests that racial information is only being collected to "measure our progress," in light of the government's plans to make 'systemic discrimination' illegal, the answer to our question should be self-evident.
By MATT MAYCHAK
TORONTO STAR
Premier Bob Rae's office is ordering provincial appointees to provide information on their racial and ethnic background, The Star has learned.
The survey of members of Ontario agencies, boards and commissions is part of a plan to appoint more women, disabled people, francophones, visible minorities and natives.
"While we have been making some progress in this area, it is difficult if not impossible to measure our progress unless adequate information is available," Rae' s appointments director says in a confidential letter sent to hundreds of provincial appointees.
Carol Phillips goes on to assure the appointees that the information will be kept confidential "and used solely for the purpose of developing and implementing appropriate planning initiatives."
The chairmen of police commissions, liquor boards and other provincial agencies are "required" to return the information by the end of this month, she adds.
A copy of the letter and the accompanying questionnaire were obtained by The Star.
Appointees are asked to provide their name, address, position and gender and answer four questions:
The document provides some examples to help appointees determine their ethnicity.
"If you were born in Canada but are of Egyptian descent, you would select West Asian and Arab," it says.
"If you are of European descent but were born and brought up in the Middle East, you would select white."
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last updated on April 30, 2002
