Another suspected hate-crime incident is being investigated at the Michael Garron Hospital construction site in downtown Toronto.

Toronto Police were called to the site on September 24 after two nooses were found on the site Coxwell Avenue and Mortimer Avenue. The incident is not the first for the EllisDon-run project. Two nooses were found at the site in June. At the time, the contractor said the nooses were strategically placed and that the act appeared to be racially motivated. Police investigated.

“This pattern indicates a systemic problem. Although we have been reassured by the efforts made by EllisDon and others to address racism in the construction industry, it is clear that they need to do better,” said hospital president and CEO Sarah Downey in a statement.

“Investigations on this most recent incident are underway and we will work alongside Toronto Police Service to ensure that whoever is responsible for this act is identified and prosecuted. Anti-Black racism has no place in our hospital or anywhere in our community and it will never be tolerated.”

A spokesperson for EllisDon said the constriction crew planned a full site stand down on September 25 to address the incident and condemn the actions. The company also said it will provide access to counsellors for any team member who needs mental health support or guidance.

EllisDon president and CEO Geoff Smith issued his own statement regarding this latest incident. In it, he addressed those responsible.

“These individuals are unfortunately comfortable in the knowledge that on a heavily populated and constantly changing construction site, they will be hard to identify. But I want to send a clear message: We will not stop until you are found, charged and permanently evicted from our industry.”

Smith went on to say that EllisDon will work closely with Toronto Police Service and use every available tool, including upgrading the security and surveillance on its sites, to catch the perpetrators.

“EllisDon acknowledges that systemic racism in the construction industry is real and – with our partner unions and subcontractors – we have initiated both long- and short-term measures to root it out wherever it lies, and eliminate it,” he wrote. “This will take time and sustained effort by many people, but we have already begun, and we will succeed.”