A report on the Ottawa Police racial data collection project is showing Middle Eastern and black drivers are being pulled over at a disproportionately high rate.
The York University study conducted using two years of data indicates Middle Eastern and black drivers are stopped 3.3 and 2.3 times more than they should be respectively when compared to driver population numbers.
People who officers making traffic stops marked down as "Middle Rastern" made up 12 percent of total records, when York University says these drivers make up less than 4 percent of the total driving population.
Black drivers made up nearly 9 percent of total records despite also representing less than 4 percent of the city's drivers.
Officers making traffic stops recorded their perception of the driver's race, as mandated by a settlement that result from a complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
York has made several recommendations, which Chief Charles Bordeleau says the service intends to adhere to and surpass.
While the university researchers and Bordeleau say the report does not conclude racial profiling, the Ontario Human Rights Commission issued a statement saying the figures are consistent with racial profiling.
More to come