Carding critics cautiously optimistic about Tory’s push to ban the practice

WATCH ABOVE: The motion to end carding still needs to be tabled and passed at the next police board meeting. Mark Carcasole reports. 

TORONTO — Since the starts of their respective tenures, both Mayor John Tory and Chief Mark Saunders have been hounded by the issue of carding and the criticism surrounding the practice of police stopping and questioning civilians when no crime has taken place and retaining their info.

The last few days have been marked by significant changes of heart, though. First, it was Police Services Board chair Dr. Alok Mukherjee, who came out against the practice in a newspaper op-ed on Friday. Then on Sunday the mayor declared he wants the practice ended.

READ MORE: Toronto Mayor John Tory wants police to end controversial carding of citizens

Tory reiterated his stance at a speaking event Monday, telling reporters “we have to make more fundamental change.”

Critics of carding say it’s about time.

“I was disappointed that it took this long and took this much pressure,” says Knia Singh, President of York University’s Osgoode Society Against Institutional Injustice.

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“I thought the community was…very clear that [carding] was against our legal rights, against the Charter and corrosive to our community.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I thought the community was…very clear that [carding] was against our legal rights, against the Charter and corrosive to our community."

Skepticism over the end of carding remains. Civil liberties watch dogs wonder what might replace the practice.

“Even if they say that they want to stop carding, what does that mean in real terms?” said Noa Mendelsohn Aviv of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.

She said there are still several unanswered questions.

“In terms of policies that are going to be implemented, restrictions that are going to be placed on police officers that say ‘you may not stop people randomly.'”

Former Toronto police officer Ron Wretham views this situation with a wary eye.

“If it is done away with entirely, I’m really concerned,” said Wretham.

In more than 30 years on the force, Wretham said carding, when done properly, has been an immense help in a range of investigations. Everything from murders to arsons and drug investigations. Wretham says losing that ability could put police at an investigative disadvantage.

“I understand concerns, I really do. However, it’s such a good investigative tool that goes into an intelligence database, so that when there is a serious crime, the detectives can go to the intelligence bureau and see if that person has been seen anywhere else.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I understand concerns, I really do. However, it's such a good investigative tool that goes into an intelligence database, so that when there is a serious crime, the detectives can go to the intelligence bureau and see if that person has been seen anywhere else."

Toronto police officials offered no comment on the mayor’s changed stance Monday.

A spokesperson for Chief Saunders said that until Tory brings his motion to the board, there really is nothing for them to respond to.

Mayor Tory said he has discussed his change of mind with Chief Saunders at least twice. He wouldn’t say how Saunders reacted, but doesn’t seem worried about any potential contention.

“I am very confident, knowing this police chief as I do… that we’ll be able to work together to achieve the objective that I have and that he has,” said Tory.

The issue will be tabled and discussed at the Toronto Police Services Board’s next meeting on June 18.