Waterloo Catholic director of education apologizes, clarifies comments on systemic racism

The Director of Education for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board has apologized and clarified comments she made last week about systemic racism in the school board.

Speaking to media last week following a board of trustees meeting, Loretta Notten had said she took "umbrage to the allegation that there is systemic racism in our board."

Her remark was in response to a question about a situation where police were called to John Sweeney Catholic Elementary School to deal with a young student. Advocates have said the situation points to a broader pattern where Black students are treated more harshly than their peers. The behaviour of school staff on that day is currently under review by the province.  

On Monday, Notten said in a statement that this comment did not represent the "personal or organizational commitment to disrupt" anti-Black racism.  

"I responded to a media question and in my attempt to state that we should not pre-determine the findings of the independent investigation, I instead indicated that I did not acknowledge the presence of systemic racism," said Notten.

"I unreservedly apologize for that comment. It does not reflect my personal position, nor the position of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board."

Notten also said, "across society, our structures are systemically racist," and she noted that the Catholic school board "is part of those structures."

"We need to acknowledge that systemic racism, and act on it."

Notten's statement is available in full online.