Lewisporte doctor cites racism, alleged assault against daughter as reasons he may leave
RCMP confirms one charge has been laid
A doctor in the central Newfoundland town of Lewisporte is speaking up about recent racism his family has experienced — and says a recent alleged assault could be the tipping point that makes him leave the town.
Dr. Gerges Ambarak says his daughter was attacked at Lewisporte Intermediate School on Thursday.
It wasn't the first time his daughter has been racially targeted, said Ambarak, who agreed to speak to CBC News with his daughter's consent on Friday in the hopes of creating a safer atmosphere for all students.
"For my daughter, I felt very bad and very sad. She is distracted now. She is under pressure," Ambarak said.
The RCMP confirmed Friday it is investigating the incident and has laid a charge of assault in the incident, which police believe took place during lunch hour at the school.
Ambarak posted about the incident on Facebook, and included a screenshot of a text message from a blocked number that called him "Mr. Black." The message also includes a threat of violence.
"These words, black and white, are a type of racism. We are not supposed to be classified according to colour," he said. "I think this was a big problem."
CBC News also spoke with the accused student's father, who said he believes what happened was not a racial incident but an altercation that got out of hand.
"I'm just disappointed that it turned out the way it did… It went too far," said the man, who said the text message didn't come from him or his family. "It's a lot for [my daughter] to process, too, because I don't think she understood the full consequences of, you know, what would happen after the altercation went physical."
The man said he messaged Ambarak on Facebook after the incident and hopes they can sit down and discuss things.
Doctor considers leaving
Ambarak and his wife are both family doctors at the Lewisporte Medical Clinic. He said they care for about 5,000 patients combined.
The incident has hurt his family, he said, and he'll be taking the next week off to consider their future in the town.
Lewisporte Mayor Krista Freake says she was heartbroken to read Ambarak's post and hopes he will stay.
"If it is an issue, we need to bring it to the forefront. We need to identify what are the barriers, what are the obstacles, why is this occurring," she said. "And, how do we move forward better as a community."
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey told reporters in Corner Brook that he spoke with Ambarak on Friday and told him he has the support of the provincial government.
"[I'm] incredibly saddened and hurt. It's a mixed emotion, angered that this doctor and his daughter had to be subject to comments and potential abuse," he said.
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association and the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Family Physicians all released statements on the matter, saying racism in the health-care system can't be tolerated.
Asked if he's worried whether it will hurt the province's ability to recruit doctors, Furey said he doesn't believe it changes Newfoundland and Labrador's image.
"The single thing that keeps people from away here is the welcoming nature of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and I don't think that has changed in any way, shape or form by one particular incident."
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With files from Leigh Anne Power, Troy Turner and Colleen Connors
