Stephen Lecce apologizes for fraternity ‘slave auction’; calls from NDP to step down

One of the Ford government’s highest-profile cabinet ministers is apologizing after it was revealed he took part in a so-called “slave auction” while in university.

The NDP is now demanding Stephen Lecce step down as the Progressive Conservative candidate for King-Vaughan. The party is also calling on Premier and PC leader Doug Ford to “clearly and unequivocally condemn Lecce’s actions.”

“Mr. Lecce must apologize for the deep pain his actions caused, educate himself, and attempt to make amends to Black communities,” reads a joint statement from three NDP candidates.

“But under no circumstances should the people of this province, or even more alarmingly our children, be represented by him at this time.”

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The outlet Press Progress reports Lecce took part in “slave auction” events on numerous occasions when he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity while attending Western University in London, Ont.

The report cites archived postings on the fraternity’s website that suggest one of the ‘auction’ rituals took place in November 2006 and was followed by a “Slave Days” event a couple of days later.

In a statement to CityNews, the education minister apologized for his actions 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,” it reads. “I will continue to passionately advance the interests of all Ontarians – irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or race.”

The NDP is accusing Lecce of choosing to conceal his involvement in the events that “mocked and trivialized” the history of the slave trade. The statement says Black Ontarians deserve “so much better” from their elected officials.

“Mr. Lecce must apologize and take responsibility for his involvement,” said Kristyn Wong-Tam, NDP candidate for Toronto Centre, in a tweet. “He’s the Minister of Education, and if (he) can’t learn from his past wrongdoings, then he has no credibility governing over the education system.”

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) are calling on Ford to immediately address the controversy. The federation says the incident raises concerns about Lecce’s understanding of anti-Black racism, which would therefore impact his ability to serve all Ontarians in his role as education minister.

“Educators, families, and school boards cannot have confidence in an educational leader who demonstrates racist behaviour,” reads an ETFO statement.

The then 31-year-old Lecce became one of the youngest members of Ford’s cabinet following the 2018 election. He was sworn in as Ontario’s education minister in 2019 and served in the role through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ontario Party leaders comment on controversy as election campaign rolls on

Ford is not scheduled to make any public announcements on Wednesday as the provincial election campaign continues.

Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca was asked about the controversy surrounding Lecce while making an announcement in Etobicoke on health care. He stopped short of calling for Lecce withdraw his candidacy in the upcoming election.

“I’m not calling on him to resign his candidacy,” Del Duca says. “Obviously it is a deeply troubling circumstance.”

“The behaviour is reprehensible, unacceptable, appalling, has no place in the kind of Ontario that I know Ontarians believe in.”

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said he was “disgusted” to read the revelations about Lecce’s actions.

“It is blatantly racist and wrong,” he wrote in a statement. “Lecce owes a sincere apology to the Black community in Ontario. Slavery is not something to be mocked or laughed at.”

With files from The Canadian Press