On May 27th 2020, Regis Korchinski-Paquet fell to her death from her 24th floor balcony. The circumstances of her death need to be revealed. I support the call made by my colleagues, Bhutila Karpoche of Parkdale-High Park and Laura Mae Lindo, Chair of the Ontario NDP Black Caucus, for a complete, independent, transparent and public investigation into her death. Regis’s family and the whole community deserve answers. Below is a copy of the letter sent to the Solicitor General of Ontario.
“The death of Regis has shaken our community. It has reminded us of the importance of using our voice. This is not an isolated incident but a part of a pattern of Black deaths involving police interaction that include many others. Many Black and Indigenous people have not only been killed, but also traumatized by interactions with the police in Toronto, Ontario, and across this country. We need systemic change that dismantles anti-racism in our institutions. We cannot ignore that the Ford government has impeded the SIU, making it harder for justice to be severed. We need to ensure that Black and Indigenous communities are safe. We need policies that are reflective and demonstrate that Black and Indigenous lives matter, so that not another life is lost.
Regis deserves justice. Black and Indigenous communities deserve justice. I stand in solidarity with communities across Ontario and the globe, as they demand justice that has been deferred for far too long.
Signed by Bhutila Karpoche and Laura Mae Lindo, MPP’s”
