Ontario Education Minister Took Part in a ‘Slave Auction’ at a University Fraternity

Content warning: This story contains descriptions of anti-Black racism which may be disturbing to some readers.

Ontario’s Minister of Education Stephen Lecce participated in a mock slave auction while he was a frat leader at Western University.

The event took place in 2006 at Sigma Chi fraternity’s Epsilon Omicron chapter, where Lecce served as president. Archives from Sigma Chi’s website show that the frat had hosted “slave auctions” multiple times while Lecce was involved with the frat house, according to Press Progress. Lecce was identified as one of the slaves “auctioned off” at the event.

“Slaves (are) obligated to be available from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., or other time negotiated with ‘owner,’” says the website archives. An official from the Progressive Conservative Party told the CBC that Lecce has no recollection of the event.

Lecce has since apologized, saying, “The event from 2006 was inappropriate and in no way reflects who I am as a person, which is why I unreservedly apologize. I will continue to passionately advance the interest of all Ontarians—irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or race.”

Obviously, people are pissed. 

This revelation comes while the Ontario provincial election is underway—and is an obvious blow to the PC Party’s campaign. Ontario’s NDP party has called for Lecce to withdraw his candidacy in the upcoming Ontario election, where he is running to be re-elected as MPP in the King–Vaughan riding. “Mr. Lecce must apologize for the deep pain his actions caused, educate himself, and attempt to make amends to Black communities. But under no circumstances should the people of this province, or even more alarmingly our children, be represented by him at this time,” says a statement on the NDP’s website.

Anyone else having déjà vu for when Justin Trudeau was caught wearing blackface?