Honouring Black Legacy and Leadership: A Commitment to Accountability

Black communities have shaped Toronto’s cultural, economic, social, and political fabric in profound and enduring ways. Their immeasurable contributions continue to inspire and enrich the city we call home. At Ombudsman Toronto, we honour and celebrate these legacies, not just during Black History Month, but every day.

The federal government’s theme for Black History Month, Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations, highlights the importance of reflecting on the past while creating a more equitable future. In 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to officially recognize Black History Month, thanks to the tireless efforts of Black leaders and organizations like the Ontario Black History Society. Today, Black communities continue to lead, innovate, and inspire transformative change across all sectors.

We affirm our commitment to standing in solidarity with Black communities in Toronto and beyond. Building trust requires intentional action, deep listening, and the humility to learn/unlearn and grow. It depends on fostering and maintaining meaningful relationships, ensuring that Black individuals feel seen, heard, and comfortable accessing our services. We are deeply grateful to those who courageously share their experiences with us.

We know there is still much work to do. Anti-Black racism is real, and its impact is felt deeply across our city. As an office committed to fairness and accountability, we must consistently examine how systemic discrimination may shape the issues we investigate and the communities we serve. This means looking critically at who we engage with, how we approach our work, and the solutions we recommend. We recognize that accountability starts with examining our own practices to ensure that the voices and needs of Black communities are meaningfully centered in all that we do.

In our recent work, we investigated the City’s decision to deny refugee claimants access to its base shelter system—a decision that disproportionately impacted Black refugees. While this outcome may not have been intentional, its effects were systemic and harmful, underscoring the importance of fairness and equity in decision-making. Our findings highlight why accountability is essential in addressing these disparities and ensuring that systems and services work for everyone. 

Building a future where everyone can thrive is a shared responsibility. With intentionality and care, we can ensure that future generations inherit a Toronto that uplifts Black legacy and leadership while fostering fairness and inclusivity for all.