Since 2019, Pivot has publicly advocated for a moratorium on street checks. While the practice is currently prescribed by a binding Policing Standard on “Police Stops” we recognize that regardless of the term (“street stops,” “carding,” “street checks” etc.) the practice is used against racialized communities – notably Black and Indigenous people. The practice lacks a basis in law and is disproportionately weaponized against racialized and low-income communities.
Our 2019 memo calls for a moratorium on street checks as the only alternative to reforms that risk legitimizing an overwhelmingly harmful and discriminatory practice.
We continue to work alongside directly-impacted communities to draw attention to the damaging use of street stops and urge the provincial government to enact a Policing Standards that bans this practice.