Toronto police are investigating after xenophobic posters were plastered around an East York park overnight.
The posters were spotted in Stan Wadlow Park this morning. They address white people and appear to decry political correctness, multiculturalism and immigration.
Toronto police spokesperson Meaghan Gray confirmed Monday that police are investigating the posters as a possible hate crime.
Speaking with CP24.com, Beaches-East York Coun. Janet Davis said the posters distributed in her ward are “unacceptable in Toronto.”
“It is a piece that I think perpetuates hate and it’s unacceptable to have these posters in the public realm,” Davis told CP24.com Monday.
Many people quickly took to social media Monday after seeing the posters, some drawing a connection with the U.S. election.
“So disgusted by racists empowered by @realDonaldTrump....my children's caregiver texted me this ad found at Stan Wadlow park in East York,” one user wrote.
Davis said the posters were illegally plastered on public property and she has asked Municipal Licensing and Standards to take them down.
She said she has never seen material like this posted in her ward before and linked the material to the tone set by the recent U.S. election.
“I found this messaging unacceptable in a city like Toronto and it’s very worrisome that the U.S. election and the election of Donald Trump could legitimize this kind of hate speech here,” Davis said.
It’s not clear who put up the posters, but Davis said city staff are also investigating.
She said she's received a number of messages from residents who are "very disturbed" by the content of the posters.
"This is a diverse but very inclusive neighbourhood," Davis said.
