By RON FANFAIR
Retired law enforcement officer Terry James and Canada’s first Black woman Member of
Parliament Jean Augustine were honoured at the close of Toronto Police Service’s Black
History Month celebrations at Tropicana Community Services Organization Centre in
Scarborough.
James, who migrated from Grenada in her teenage years, conceived the observance
celebration.
Joining the Service in the summer of 1980, she was among 10 women in her class of new
officers – the largest at the time for one class.
Promoted to Sergeant in 2001, she and retired Inspector Sonia Thomas were the first Black
women to be elevated to Sergeant at the same time.
James retired in September 2010 after 30 years.
To mark her contribution in playing the lead role in starting a BHM celebration at TPS and
advocacy in making the Service more inclusive, a Trailblazer Award has been established
in her name.
Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue said James and Augustine deserve the honour.
“Your legacy and your impact encourage us all to do better and to ensure a better future for
all,” she said.
Pogue reiterated that the Service is committed to diversity and inclusion.
“Chief Myron Demkiw, our Command Team and TPS members across the city
acknowledge the unique histories and lived experiences of Black communities in Toronto,
experiences that include systemic anti-Black racism,” she said. “We recognize that while
we continue to make progress, we have much work to do. Any progress that we see today
began decades ago by many brave individuals who challenged all of us to do better and
helped to lay the foundation for a diverse and inclusive society.”
Toronto Police Association President Jon Reid also thanked Augustine and James for their
remarkable contributions.
“As a torchbearer, Terry led the way for many to come,” he said. “She was dedicated not
just to her community, but also her colleagues. She was not just a trailblazer, but also a
mentor.”
On behalf of the TPS Black Internal Support Network, Committee Co-Chair Staff Sergeant
Kirwin Marshall acknowledged James and Augustine for their perseverance and dedication
to uplifting the Black community.
“It’s because of you that my path was a bit easier,” he said.
Augustine represented the Etobicoke-Lakeshore riding for four terms before resigning
from federal politics in 2006 to make way for former Liberal Party leader Michael
Ignatieff.
As the first Black woman appointed to Cabinet when she was named Secretary of State
with responsibility for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women, she also filled the roles
of Minister of State, Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole and Special
Adviser for Grenada. She was Parliamentary Secretary to Chrétien, Chair of the Foreign
Affairs and International Trade Parliamentary Committee and a member of the
parliamentary sub-committees on human rights, international trade, citizenship and
immigration.
Augustine was the Founding Chair of the Canadian Association of Parliamentarians on
Population and Development and Chair of the National Liberal Women’s Caucus.
As a result of two motions she initiated, February was declared nationally as Black History
Month and the Famous Five Statue received a home on Parliament Hill, giving recognition
to the contributions of women and Blacks in Canada.
In addition, Augustine was Ontario’s first Fairness Commissioner appointed to advocate
for foreign-trained professionals and ensure the credentials of internationally trained
professionals are treated fairly.
The awards will be presented annually to distinguished Black Canadians.
This year’s TPS celebration theme was ‘Honouring Your Past Leads to Conquering Your
Future.
For the first time, the Pan-African flag was raised at police headquarters on February 1.
