Peterborough’s Integrity Commissioner has found that while not acceptable, Mayor Jeff Leal did not contravene the Council Code of Conduct during a speech at Trent in which a racial slur was used.
Guy Giorno investigated the matter on a complaint made by the Trent Central Student Association.
Following a March 19th lecture to a business class, audio surfaced in which Leal used the n-word while quoting President Lyndon B. Johnson.
In his report, Giorno stated: “To be clear, what occurred on March 19th was not acceptable. Everyone agrees it was unacceptable. The Respondent agrees it was unacceptable. He has acknowledged that, both earlier this year and in this inquiry.”
He went on to say “the purpose of this inquiry is to determine whether the March 19th comment, which is universally agreed to be unacceptable, contravened the Council Code of Conduct. It did not.”
Among two recommendations listed in the report, which will go before General Committee on Monday, Giorno says council may wish to ask staff to report back on the suggestion of the Trent Central Student Association that the Strategic Plan be amended to include anti-racism and race relations as a strategic priority under the Community and Wellbeing pillar.
