Carding incident at uOttawa deemed racial discrimination after investigation

An investigation by the University of Ottawa's Human Rights office has concluded a black student was the subject of racial discrimination.

Back in June, Jamal Boyce on the school's campus when a security guard handcuffed and detained him for trespassing. 

Part of the incident was captured on video, where you can hear the guard telling Boyce to leave the campus because he could not produce a school ID. 

Boyce was eventually let go without any ticket or charges.

A 50 page investigation with interviews from witnesses revealed the Boyle was “the subject of discrimination because of his race.” It also concluded the student was the subject of workplace violence, after security arrested him.

“The investigation in the report finds that race was a factor in the incident, but it was not the only factor,” said Jacques Frémont, President of the University of Ottawa. “The report also found the incident was due to the outdated operational procedures and inundated training.”

Frémont also said the university is creating a new committee to help reduce racism on campus and extended an invitation for Boyle to be a part of the group. Frémont would not say whether Boyle accepted the invitation.

The University has stepped up efforts to combat racism on campus by introducing bias training for security, and made policy changes, however, another student said he was racially targeted when a security guard asked for his ID less than two weeks after the school changed its policy on carding.

Wiliston Mason, 22, explained the incident happened on September 14, when he walked into his residence around 10 p.m. with a suitcase. He tapped his entry key card, but the security officer on site demanded ID.

Mason was happy the president apologized, but doesn't believe their efforts are doing enough.

“I don't necessarily see what has come out of the president's committee that they formed back in June,” Mason told reporters.

“It's unacceptable,” he added, “to slap a bandage solution on the incident that happened in June. But it's not practical, to say that these are the rules we have in place but then the rules get broken and then it's like what happens after that?”