Stephen Lecce, one of the best candidates for progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford, apologized after a report surfaced of his involvement in a fraternity “slave auction” when he was at university.
Lecce, who was education minister in the last provincial parliament, apologized in two lines Tuesday night after a report was published on the left-wing Press Progress website about a 2006 Sigma Chi event at Western University called the “Auction for do ”.
In his apology, Lecce, who was a member of the brotherhood’s captain at the time, did not deny his involvement in the event.
“The 2006 event was inappropriate and in no way reflects who I am as a person, which is why I apologize unreservedly,” Lecce said.
“I will continue to passionately support the interests of all Ontarians – regardless of religion, heritage, orientation or race.
In a web-archived version of what appeared on Sigma Chi’s website at the time, received by CTV News Toronto, Lecce wrote a statement congratulating the arriving members.
“Our graduate brothers, ranging from academics, corporate leaders, philanthropists, politicians and community leaders, continue to live the values they learned through Sigma Chi many years ago,” Lecce wrote.
To the right of his message appeared the Brotherhood’s News of the Heads, which listed events, including the 2006 Slave Auction.
Lecce’s apology comes when he wants a re-election in King Won in the provincial elections in Ontario.
When Ontario Liberal leader Stephen Del Duca was asked about Lecce’s apology during Wednesday’s election campaign, he said he could not comment, given his privileged position.
“I understand that he apologized, but I think it’s best to leave it to racist Ontarians, vulnerable Ontarians who are in a position to deal with this kind of behavior too often to be able to say whether or not to apologize. is good enough, “Del Duca said.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horvat called Lecce’s bid “very painful” and “hurtful” for members of the Black Community.
“I must say that our former members of the Black Assembly, the founders of our Black Assembly, made a statement last night, and I support that statement 100 percent,” Horvath said on Wednesday.
In a joint statement, several Ontario NDP candidates in Toronto called on Lecce to withdraw, calling his actions “repulsive” and “outright anti-black racism”.
“Under no circumstances should the people of this province, or even more so our children, be represented by him at this time,” Toronto-Saint said. Paul’s candidate, Dr. Jill Andrew, said in a statement to NDP candidates Faisal Hassan and Dr. Laura May Lindo.
“Doug Ford and the PC Party must remove it. We also call on Doug Ford, as the leader of the PC Party, to clearly and unequivocally condemn Mr Lecce’s actions. ”
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