Doug Ford backs Stephen Lecce after his apology for fraternity ‘slave auction’

On Tuesday, Ontario Progressive Conservative Minister Stephen Lecce apologized after it was brought to light that he participated in a "slave auction" with his fraternity while he was a student at Western University.

With the provincial election looming near, Ontario PC leader Doug Ford disregarded calls to drop Lecce, and instead reiterated his support for the candidate.

As the Toronto Star reports, Doug Ford commented on the situation while at a campaign stop in Kitchener on Thursday.

"He knows that it was inappropriate," Ford said. "He’s apologized for attending this event as a teenager, and, you know, Mr. Lecce, has been a strong advocate of combating racism in schools and he has my full support."

Lecce's participation in the Sigma Chi fraternity event was first revealed by the left-leaning Broadbent Institute's PressProgress.

In his apology, Lecce said, simply, "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 interests of all Ontarians — irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or race."

Despite his apology, and the fact that the event happened nearly two decades ago, opposition politicians were quick to suggest that Lecce's candidacy should be withdrawn.

Both leaders of the Ontario Liberal Party and Ontario NDP suggested that Lecce's actions were harmful to racialized communities in Canada, and condemned him for "anti-Black racism."

Lecce served as Minister of Education in Ontario's most recent parliament, and is up for re-election in June alongside the rest of his peers.