In an effort to find those people responsible for a series of racist incidents at their Michael Garron Hospital worksite in downtown Toronto, EllisDon has put in place a series of new initiatives and security measures—including increasing the reward for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible from $5,000 to $50,000.

Construction activity at the site has been marred by anti-racist acts on three separate occasions. The first two, which occurred in the summer, involved the hanging of nooses in prominent places. The third, in October, involved a racist message scrawled on the wall of a washroom stall.

EllisDon has been swift to respond to the incidents. It immediately launched investigations and put measures in place to enhance site security. The company has also cooperated fully with Toronto Police Services during their investigations.

On October 22, the contractor announced further measures at the site aimed at identifying those responsible. The measures include additional internal security cameras, and physical security checks, 24/7 video surveillance and security presence, and additional lighting and hoarding supports.

The company has also said it has put in place measures to raise awareness about racism and other hateful actions in its offices and on its jobsite, as well as appointing a dedicated employee as the Head of Inclusive Diversity, and working with its subtrades and union partners to educate and eradicate anti-Black racism.

After the racist graffiti incident, hospital president and CEO Sarah Downey wrote an open letter to EllisDon president and CEO Geoff Smith demanding the contractor do more to find and hold those responsible accountable.

“I appreciate the serious response taken by EllisDon in responding to these incidents including involving Toronto Police Service, conducting safety stand downs on the site, offering support to the workers and offering financial reward for information that leads to charges. It is clear, however, that this disturbing trend requires a stronger and louder response,” she said.

“I am calling on EllisDon to do more to stop racist acts on your construction sites and on our hospital property. Access to the job site at MGH is managed by EllisDon. We believe more security and safety controls are required to safeguard the site to ensure that whoever is responsible for these acts is identified and prosecuted,” she says.

EllisDon has said it will expel any individual from any its job sites who is found to commit a racist or discriminatory act.