In Niagara, candidates were surveyed on their stances regarding race-related issues, including white supremacist groups, racism on the campaign trail, police use of force against Black individuals, and the removal of statues tied to racist historical figures. The survey, conducted by the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, received responses from only a small fraction of the total candidates running for town and city council seats.
Out of approximately 267 council candidates and school board trustee candidates contacted, 27 council candidates responded by the deadline, with a total of 35 responses when including trustee candidates. Saleh Waziruddin, a member of the association’s executive committee, expressed mixed feelings about the response rate, noting both satisfaction with exceeding expectations and disappointment in the low number of responses from self-proclaimed anti-racist candidates.
Despite the limited response, candidates from 10 out of the 12 cities and towns in the region participated in the survey. The association hopes that the survey results will encourage much-needed discussions on race-related matters within council chambers, addressing a topic that often goes undiscussed.
Key topics covered in the survey included opinions on white supremacist groups, controversial statements made at Niagara Falls city council, former Regional Chair Bob Gale’s resignation over possessing Mein Kampf, concerns of systemic racism within the Niagara Regional Police, and potential biases in municipal support for various international conflicts. The survey results revealed varying perspectives among candidates, with some condemning specific incidents while others emphasized the importance of thorough investigations before passing judgment.
Prominent candidates like Larry Rosnuk and Kevin Grebe expressed their stances against racism and discrimination, with Rosnuk cautioning against erasing historical statues and Grebe emphasizing the need for white individuals to actively condemn and combat white supremacy. Additionally, the survey highlighted instances of racial discrimination faced by candidates like Gurinder Kaur, who emphasized the importance of looking beyond superficial characteristics in evaluating individuals.
The association also underscored the importance of transparency in race-related data, noting that several school board trustee candidates committed to publishing suspension rates by race to address systemic disparities. Ultimately, the association stressed that elected officials have a duty to speak out against racism and promote inclusivity within their communities.