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Jessica Mulroney Gets Dropped By 4 Companies Over ‘Textbook White Privilege’

CTV has parted ways with Jessica Mulroney and pulled her new reality show I Do, Redo from all Bell Media channels and platforms after she was accused of trying to silence a Black Toronto influencer and ruin her career. 

Canadian blogger and marketer Sasha Exeter alleges things went left once she put out a call to action on social media for her peers to use their platform to speak out against anti-Black racism.

She says Mulroney wrongly assumed she was being called out as she had not been vocally supportive of the movement, and took it personal.

According to the SoSasha founder, Mulroney lashed out at her several times in the span of a week and blocked her on Instagram.

Exeter said the celebrity stylist threatened her livelihood in writing, saying she had spoken to brands and companies about her – which could’ve jeopardized her income – and threatened to sue her for libel, even after issuing a public apology.

View this post on Instagram

Please read my statement. It is from my heart.

A post shared by Jess Mulroney (@jessicamulroney) on

Exeter says the entire ordeal made her sick to her stomach and she could no longer remain silent because she is raising a Black daughter. 

CityLine, Hudson’s Bay, and ABC have also cut ties with Mulroney. CityLine said she will no longer appear as a guest expert on the show, Hudson’s Bay said she will no longer represent the company or Kleinfeld Canada as a fashion and bridal expert, and ABC announced she will no longer appear on Good Morning America as a fashion contributor,

View this post on Instagram

A message from Hudson's Bay.

A post shared by Hudson's Bay (@hudsonsbay) on

Mulroney is the wife of Canadian TV personality Bel Mulroney, son of former Prime Minister Ben Mulroney, and BFFs with Meghan Markle. 

Watch Sasha speak out about her “Amy Cooper Experience” on her IG below: 

View this post on Instagram

I’ve been silent. Not anymore!⁣ ⁣ I’m used to being so transparent on this platform. I think it’s the main reason why most of you follow me. Today, I’m opening up about something that has been haunting me for the last week. I have felt like a complete fraud fighting for racial equality and using my voice openly here, while letting a white woman silence mine behind closed doors. In sharing this very personal story, I know that I am risking a lot. Opening myself up to criticism, bullying and potential ramifications with my job in this space. However, I must speak my truth. Enough is enough. Hopefully my voice will be heard by many and help change things for the next generation and for my daughter Maxwell… because I will be dammed if my child ever has to deal with this level of ignorance.

A post shared by SoSasha (@sashaexeter) on

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CBC Host Wendy Mesley Suspended For Using ‘Careless’ Language

CBC News host Wendy Mesley has been suspended for using a “word that should never be used” during an editorial discussion about Black Lives Matter and media coverage of racism.

Mesley took to Twitter to explain herself, claiming she “quoted” another journalist she was planning to interview on a panel, but did not identify the word in question.

She said it “was not aimed at anyone” and “was wrong to say it.” She added that she is “deeply ashamed” and “immediately apologized to her co-workers.”

Responding to questions about the word she used, CBC’s Head of Public Affairs Chuck Thompson declined to go into detail.

Mesley, who hosts the Sunday program The Weekly, is now off the air pending the outcome of an investigation by CBC.

 

Source

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Toronto Declares Anti-Black Racism A Public Health Crisis

Toronto has officially declared anti-Black racism a public health crisis in the city. 

The move comes a week after a coalition of Black health leaders, backed by NDP leader Andrea Horwarth, called on the Ford government to formally recognize anti-Black racism as a public health crisis. 

The motion, introduced by Joe Cressy, was unanimously approved by the Toronto Board of Health on Monday, June 8.

It also asked for Board of Health members to affirm its commitment to support policies and programs that address inequities faced by Black communities; a request for the Medical Officer of Health to re-prioritize resources to address anti-Black racism in health inequity; and a request for the Civic Appointments Committee to promote diversity when filling positions on city boards and committees, including the Board of Health.

Cressy said he hoped the recent protests would provoke a change in policies that contribute to systemic racism and not just changes to behaviour.

Source

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Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders To Resign In July

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders will be stepping down from his position on July 31. He made the announcement during a news conference this afternoon.

Saunders has been Chief of Police since 2015 and was expected to remain in the position until at least 2021. His resignation comes after more than 37 years with the Toronto Police Service and eight months before his contract is set to expire.

He did not give a reason for his decision, but said he plans to spend more time with his family. 

As for what’s next, he says he’s not retiring altogether and wants to work for the City of Toronto for free on issues that are “near and dear” to him.

“I see a lot of young black boys getting killed by young black boys” said Saunders “Law enforcement deals with those symptoms and I want to help the cure for the disease and I think I have a ton of knowledge that can help keep governments in-check and do the right thing to make sure that we get it right.”

Watch the police chief’s comments below:

WATCH LIVE: Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders announces he is stepping down from his position as of July 31.

Posted by CBC Toronto on Monday, June 8, 2020

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WATCH: Chika Oriuwa Valedictorian Speech, U of T Faculty of Medicine

Congratulations to Dr. Chika Oriuwa who made history as the second Black female valedictorian at the University of Toronto (U of T) Faculty of Medicine. 

The first generation Nigerian Canadian was the only Black medical student in her 2016 class of 259 people.

Check out her valedictorian speech from the virtual graduation ceremony below:

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Ottawa Police Officer Charged In Racist Meme Investigation

An Ottawa police officer has been charged in connection with one of two racist memes that were being circulated within the Ottawa Police Service.

Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly announced that the officer was charged under the Police Services Act in relation to the creation and distribution of the image, which pictured 13 racialized members of the service and the phrase: “Ottawa Police Service – We’re always hiring…anyone.”

He did not confirm if it was the same officer who was suspended earlier this month as part of an investigation into the meme.

Chief Sloly also revealed an administrative investigation is underway into the source of the leaks, saying it “further victimized the people depicted in the meme along with their families and it victimized other OPS members and their families.” He stated, “It further damaged the OPS reputation and it further undermined the trust and confidence that the public has in the OPS.”

As a result, he said they’d be overhauling their policies and their IT practices to prevent this from happening again.

Addressing the killing of George Floyd and ensuing protests, Sloly acknowledged that it is “impacting members of our local Black community,” including himself. 

The OPS chief says the entire organization “failed” and is going through “remediation.” 

Read the full statement HERE.

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