MPP Stephen Lecce apologizes for frat boy ‘slave auction’ as NDP calls for his resignation
Amid NDP calls for his resignation, Progressive Conservative MPP Stephen Lecce has apologized for participating in a slave auction" when he was a university student.
Lecce, who is education minister in Doug Ford's Tory government, took part in the fraternity charity fundraiser at Western University 16 years ago.
The event from 2006 was inappropriate and in no way reflects who I am as a person, which is why I unreservedly apologize," the first-term Vaughan MPP said Wednesday.
I will continue to passionately advance the interests of all Ontarians - irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or race."
Sources told the Star that Lecce, then a second-year Western student and member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, was part of the event, which raised funds for the Children's Miracle Network.
After a report published Tuesday night in Press Progress, a news website funded by the left-leaning Broadbent Institute, the NDP said the minister should step down as a PC candidate.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said she stands by" her party's Black caucus statement urging Lecce to resign.
The trans-Atlantic slave trade is one of the most horrific chapters of human history. Upwards of 12 million enslaved Africans were ripped from their homes and transported across the Atlantic to the Americas between the 16th and the 19th century," the NDP Black caucus statement said.
Mr. Lecce chose to lead and participate in events that mocked and trivialized this painful history," the caucus continued.
He also chose to conceal them for years as a public official, as a minister charged with the education, opportunity and well-being of Black students and as the person tasked with overseeing the province's investigations into anti-Black racism in schools. All of these actions are repulsive and constitute clear anti-Black racism."
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca called revelations in Press Progress deeply troubling" and reprehensible," but stopped short of calling for his head.
I am not calling on him to resign his candidacy."
The disclosure undermines Lecce's record combating anti-Black racism as education minister - including his ending of streaming.
Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie
Rob Ferguson is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @robferguson1