Lorne Foster
School of Public Policy and Administration
Professor
Director, Institute for Social Research (ISR)
York Research Chair in Black Canadian Studies & Human Rights (Tier 1)
Office: 5054 Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Bldg.
Phone: 416-736-2100 Ext: 44661
Email: lfoster@yorku.ca
Primary website: http://www.yorku.ca/lfoster
Secondary website: Institute for Social Research (ISR)
Attached CV
Media Requests Welcome
Accepting New Graduate Students
Lorne Foster is Professor, School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA). He holds the York Research Chair in Black Canadian Studies & Human Rights (Tier 1). As the Director of the Institute for Social Research (ISR), Dr. Foster oversees the leading university-based survey research centre in Canada. He is past Academic Director, Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC); and the inaugural Chair, Race Inclusion and Supportive Environments (RISE). In his university service, he is currently the Chair of the Community Safety Council (CSC); and is a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights (PACHR). Dr. Foster is also the Director of the Diversity & Human Rights Certificate (DHRC), which he established in partnership with the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). This initiative is the first academic-industry partnership sponsored by a regulatory organization.
Today, as a member of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), Dr. Foster’s work on public policy formation and scholarship on the human rights approach to inclusive organizational change ranks among the best in its field and has consistently opened doors to new scholarly explorations through a synergistic laboratory of academic-industry collaborations. His pedagogical achievements include curricular selection as an original and active member of the Black Canadian Studies Certificate, introducing a more diverse curriculum to the University’s multicultural student body. In 2019, he was honoured with the creation of the eponymous graduate studies Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law — “the commemorative MPPAL Alumni Award named after the program’s two inaugural Directors — Professors Ian Greene and Lorne Foster — who were instrumental to the program’s success.”
A critical part of Dr. Foster’s work is public engagement and building relationships beyond the traditional scope of academia, with the mission of informing public debate, equity policies, and inclusive practice. His major knowledge mobilization research initiatives in the last 10 years include:
(1) In 2023, he served as an External Expert Consultant for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiative and the Government of Nova Scotia under the authority of the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, 2022 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Nova Scotia.
(2) In 2022, he became the Principal Investigator for York Regional Police Service (YRPS). “Anti-Racism Training" (2022–2024) York Regional Police Service and York Regional Police Services Board.
(3) In 2022, he served as Principal Investigator for York Regional Police Service (YRPS). “Racialized Community Relationship Development Project.” York Regional Police Service and York Regional Police Services Board.
(4) In 2021, he served an External Expert Consultant for the Toronto Police Service (TPS) Race and Identity-Based Data Collection Strategy (2021–2022) — reviewing the TPS’ Use of Force data and practices.
(5) In 2021, he became the Co-Principal Investigator for the Peel Regional Police (PRP) Human Rights-Based Race Data Collection Strategy (2021–2024) — examining the full range of Peel police-civilian interactions, for the fifth largest jurisdiction in Canada.
(6) In 2019, he became Principal Investigator of a major SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (2019–2022) grant for a project on “Blackness in Canada” — research examining Black Canadian identity, practice, and experiences with the intent to build networks aimed at equity policy development, implementation and outcomes.
(7) He also served as the Co-Principal Investigator for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Traffic Stop Race-Based Data Collection Project (2016–2019) — comparative research analysis of three years of race data collected by Ottawa Police following his landmark 2013–2015 “racial profiling” study in Ottawa.
(8) In 2018, he co-led a whole-of-government review of the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention (WDHP) Program and the Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP) for the Cabinet Office, Ontario Public Service.
(9) In 2017–2018, he was one of three expert consultants for the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) and the Government of Ontario on the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Ontario.
(10) In 2017–2018, Dr. Foster was an expert consultant for the Independent Street Check (Carding) Review conducted by the Honourable Mr. Justice Michael H. Tulloch.
(11) In 2017, he also co-led human rights training for all Principals and Managers in the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) — the province’s third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 122,000 students.
(12) In 2016, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the Racial Profiling Policy Dialogue, in partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Institute for Social Research (ISR).
(13) In 2015–2016, he was the Co-Principal Investigator for the Windsor Police Service’ (WPS) “Human Rights Evaluation Project,” conducting a human rights review and assessment of all WPS policies.
(14) From 2013–2016, he led the York University Research Team in conducting the Ottawa Police Service’ (OPS) Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project (TSRDCP), the largest race-based data collection study in Canadian policing history.
(15) In 2010–2016, Dr. Foster was a Canada Research Team Member for the SSHRC Major Collaborative Research Initiative Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution Project, housed at the Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia (2003–2016) — centred on the dynamic relationship between international trade and human rights law in Pacific Rim countries.
(16) In 2010–2011, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the first Canada-China Forum on International Labour Relations and Employment Standards, in Beijing China.
(17) In 2010, he also partnered with the OHRC and Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) in conjunction with Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (locally called CCMARD) — to develop and publish an inventory of “best practice” tools that is now used as a standard for municipalities to combat racism across the province.
(18) In 2009–2012, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the Competing Human Rights Dialogue in partnership with the OHRC, which culminated in the development of the first competing rights policy by any commission in the world.
His current research focus is on human rights and public policy linkages as they relate to the areas of race and ethnicity.
Degrees
Ph.D. Sociology, York UniversityProfessional Leadership
• Director, Institute for Social Research • Director, Diversity & Human Rights Certificate • Chair, Community Safety Council • Director, Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law, 2009–2013 • Adjunct Scholar, Multicultural History Society of Ontario, U of T • Member, Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) • Fellow of McLaughlin College, York University • Affiliate Member, CERIS — The Ontario Metropolis Centre • Affiliated Faculty, Centre For Refugee Studies • Member, Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association • Member, Centre for Public Policy and Law • Member, Centre for Practical Ethics
Community Contributions
• Adjudication Panel — Morley S. Wolfe Anti-Racism Youth Book Competition from 2006 to 2008. The youth book awards are an annual event sponsored by Toronto Residents in Partnership promoting anti-racism and anti-discrimination in public schools.
• African Cultural Advisory Board, Toronto Zoo from 2005 to 2010. The Advisory Board provides community overview for the African Cultural Program at Canada’s premier zoo, known for its interactive education, conservation activities, and unique wildlife experience. The Board’s mandate is to inspire people through cultural expression to live in ways that promote the well-being of the natural world.
• Multiculturalism in Action Youth Project from 2004 to 2008. Multiculturalism in Action is an acclaimed education program for public schools that is designed to teach school children aged 6 to 12 about issues relating to multiculturalism and tolerance through puppetry. The success of the project, in the initial pilot project for the Toronto District School Board, has led to the development of national outreach.
• Ethno-Racial Coalition and Social Action Committee (ERCSA) from 2003 to 2005. ERCSA is a multi-ethnic and multi-racial organization dedicated to the enhancement of multiculturalism and economic inclusion in society and community capacity building. ERCSA is engaged in public education forums, business mentoring, and youth leadership development projects in minority and inner-city communities.
• Canadians Against Slavery and Torture (CAST) from 2003 to 2013. CAST is a community coalition and campaign that is dedicated to public education. CAST acts as political lobby against the existence of slavery in the Sudan and torture in the global society.
• Toronto Residents in Partnership (TRIP) from 2002 to 2010. TRIP is a not-for-profit corporation (successor to the North York Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations), mandated to promote racial harmony and understanding through programs in the areas of community development, education, and police services.
• Director for the Concerned Kids Charities of Toronto (Communication through Puppetry) from 2002 to 2006. As a member of the Board of Directors, I oversee the organizational commitment to public awareness and education for primary and secondary school children in various anti-discrimination programs.
• Blacks & Jews in Dialogue (BJD) of the League for Human Rights from 1999 to 2004. The League for Human Rights was a finalist for the 2001 Canadian Race Relations Foundation Award of Excellence. BJD’s goal is to build community partnerships and to strengthen existing alliances within communities. Its mandate is to promote better understanding of cultural diversity, particularly among youth. It also provides a manual containing models of programming for Black and Jewish communities across the country, which can be adapted for other joint community dialogues and initiatives.
• Taking Action Against Hate Project, League for Human Rights from 2001 to 2004. I help conduct public education and awareness workshops for school districts, law enforcement organizations, and community and professional associations focusing on hate and hate crimes in a human rights context. I have also been instrumental in launching a training manual entitled “Taking Action Against Hate” that has become a standard resource for governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of anti-discrimination work.
• Member, Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) from 1986 to 2000. The UARR is a non-profit charitable organization consisting of and engaged in seminars and conferences on race relations concerns. The UARR works with Boards of Education to develop and implement policies and programs, and it works with police to improve relations with minority racial communities.
Research Interests
- York Research Chair (Tier 1) Award - 2021
- The Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law “the commemorative MPPAL Alumni Award named after the program’s two inaugural Directors — Professors Ian Greene and Lorne Foster – who were instrumental to the program’s success.” - 2019
- Dean’s Letter of Acknowledgement of Research Achievements - 2019
Current Research Projects
-
Summary:
The external human rights expert consultation and review of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) DNA Canvass Protocol is to provide an analysis and recommendations on how the Protocol should be modified to ensure that DNA canvases do not result in discrimination, and with a view to promote effective, bias-free policing and enhance police-community relations, particularly with those who are vulnerable.
Description:This human rights analysis and report was given its specific mandate in the Confirmation of Settlement in the case Logan v Ontario (OPP) – which was the lead case in a series of 54 applications brought by Black migrant workers relating to the OPP DNA sweep in Elgin County the fall of 2013. The terms of the agreement were signed by the parties on May 24, 2023, and included hiring an expert in human rights to review the OPP DNA Protocol in draft form to ensure human rights compliance and to serve as a consultant in the preparation of training and anonymized data collection related to the Protocol.
Start Date:
- Month: Feb Year: 2024
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2024
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Collaborator Institution: Ontario Tech University
Collaborator Role: Expert Research Consultant
Funders:
Ontario Provincial Police
-
Summary:
Under the authority of the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, 2022, the Government of Nova Scotia is committed to equity and anti-racism and to eliminate disparities, hate and inequities that negatively impact marginalized and racialized individuals and communities in the Province. Two human rights experts, Lorne Foster and Les Jacobs, provided research consultation on the development of an Anti-Racism Data Collection Strategy to support to support the new legislation.
Description:Research consultation for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives to support the establishment of data standards for the collection and use of information to identify, monitor and address systemic hate, inequity and racism in the Government of Nova Scotia and the broader public sector including policing, health care, education, universities and colleges, social services, and the justice sector.
Start Date:
- Month: Feb Year: 2023
End Date:
- Month: May Year: 2023
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Government of Nova Scotia
-
Summary:
The development of a human rights-based data collection system that ensures privacy, involvement of affected communities, and limits the use of the data to human rights-related purposes only, for the advancement of community safety and well-being; and to utilize said data with a view to eliminating systemic racism in the delivery of services in policing, promoting transparency and accountability, and enhancing Black, and other racialized and Indigenous communities’ trust in policing throughout the Waterloo Region.
Description:Academic partner in the development and application of a Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Race-Based Data (RBD) Collection Strategy. This RBD Collection Strategy requires open, transparent, and accountable methods and methodology, developed by experienced academics in consultation with experienced stakeholders, the residents of the Waterloo Region, and Service members who will provide important operational context to the analysis.
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2025
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Waterloo Regional Police
-
Summary:
This project involves the the development, roll-out and train-the-trainer of an anti-racism training program for the York Region Police Service (YRP).
Description:The Deliverables include but not be limited to the following:
(a) developing an anti-racism training program for all YRP members; and
(b) to provide program sustainability, the anti-racism training program developed must include a component that provides for a train-the-trainer and mentorship for YRP’s Training and Education Bureau.
Start Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2023
Collaborator: Shaheen Azmi, Les Jacobs
Collaborator Role: Project Lead
Funders:
York Regional Police and Board
-
Summary:
The York Regional Police Service Board (YRPSB) requested a proposal for consulting services with regards to building and improving relationships with Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities in the region, including to conduct an in-depth review and analysis, based on community feedback and recommendations presented to the Board, and to prepare a final report including recommendations and best practices.
Description:In January 2022, I and my research team were contacted and an external research consultants to review and report on the provision of recommendations and best practices to enable York Regional Police to build and improve relationships with Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities’.This Review consisted of the following elements:
• Best Practices and jurisdiction scan of anti-racism responses in policing
• Document review/interviews focused on equity related policy, programming and programing at YRP
• Consultation sessions – staff and community
• Recommendations review and analysis
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2023
Collaborator: Les Jacobs, Shaheen Azmi, Dora Nipp
Funders:
York Regional Police Service
-
Summary:
The Peel Regional Police (PRP) project examines the full range of police-civilian interactions, including stop and question activities, charges, arrests, releases, and use of force.
Description:The objective of the PRP project is to develop a human rights-based data collection system that ensures privacy, involvement of affected communities, and limits the use of the data to human rights-related purposes only, for the advancement of community safety and well-being; and to utilize said data with a view to eliminating systemic racism in the delivery of police services, promoting transparency and accountability, and enhancing Black, and other racialized and Indigenous communities’ trust in policing throughout the Region of Peel.
Start Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2024
Funders:
Peel Regional Police
-
Summary:
In 2019, the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) approved the Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting Policy (Policy) to identify, monitor, and address systemic racial disparities in policing. The Policy builds on Ontario’s Data Standards and was guided by recommendations of its Anti-Racism Advisory Panel (ARAP). In alignment with the provincial Standards, the purposes of the Policy are to:
• use race-based data collection, analysis, and public reporting to identify, monitor, and eliminate potential systemic racism and racial bias;
• improve the delivery of police services;
• preserve the dignity of individuals and communities; and
• enhance trend analysis, professional development, and public accountability.
Employing a phased approach, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) will examine race data collected as of January 1, 2020 for two interactions: Use of Force (as per the Province’s regulation) and Strip Searches (in response to findings in Breaking the Golden Rule: A Review of Police Strip Searches in Ontario, 2019 (Office of the Independent Police Review Director, OIPRD).
Description:The TPS has retained the services of Dr. Lorne Foster and Dr. Les Jacobs as external independent experts to provide the examination of the TPS’ analysis and findings specified by the Phase 1 data analysis, specific to Use of Force and Strip Searches collected over a period of one year beginning January 1, 2020. The contract includes three activities:
1. an examination of the TPS’ analysis and findings;
2. recommendations to improve the collection, analysis, interpretation, and/or reporting of Phase 1 data; and
3. recommendations regarding methods and approaches (including qualitative data collection) towards the development of action plans.
Start Date:
- Month: Jul Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2022
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Toronto Police Services Board, Toronto Police Service
-
Summary:
Development of an organizational policy document with procedures, structural adaptations and training requirements to address in-scope regulatory and legal obligations for San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Programs.
Description:The project explores and identifies effective approaches, and develop culturally relevant best practices and procedures, for the implementation of indigenous training strategies training to address in-scope regulatory and legal obligations in Ontario and British Columbia.
Start Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2022
Collaborator: Shaheen Azmi
Funders:
PHSA Indigenous Health, British Columbia
-
Summary:
This study focuses on a twelve-month period when race data collection was being introduced into Use of Force (UFR) Reports for Ontario Police Services. An important broad objective of this analysis is the determination of whether there were any disproportionately high incidences of racialized subjects in UFR Incidents involving the Ottawa Police Service during 2020.
Description:The 2020 Use of Force (UFR) Report introduced race as a primary unit of analysis for Ontario Police Services in broad alignment with the Race Data Standards set out in The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, which frames the modern obligation of eliminating systemic racism and advancing social equity in our public sector institutions.
Professors Lorne Foster and Les Jacobs, who have a long record of expertise working with police services in Canada, were contracted to identify and analyze any racial disparities and the variances in outcomes for different groups in the City of Ottawa pertaining to UFR incidents involving the OPS
Start Date:
- Month: May Year: 2020
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service and Board
-
Summary:
The “Blackness in Canada” research project examines Black Canadian identity, practice, and experiences with the intent of building networks aimed at equity policy development, implementation, and outcomes.
Description:The research has four objectives: (1) to investigate the Black Canadian population as a national ethno-racial identity; (2) to investigate how the experiences of Black Canadians are shaped by intersecting social, political, and economic factors; (3) to determine the most promising approaches to alleviate anti-Black racism as experienced by them; and, (4) to create a framework for a comprehensive policy network to adapt to Black community issues using a holistic approach.
Start Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2019
End Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2022
Funders:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
-
Summary:
This project involves a whole-of-government program evaluation on behalf of the Cabinet Office and the Government of Ontario of the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention (WDHP) Program and related components of the Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP).
Description:The purpose of the whole-of-government review of the WDHP Program and related components of the RWP through an intersectional anti-racism perspective (with particular attention to anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racisms) are twofold:
1. assess the extent to which the current policy and complaint process are addressing and meeting the concerns of Indigenous, Black, and racialized employees and identify any patterns or trends in the processing of race-based complaints; and
2. make recommendations on what improvements are needed to the WDHP Program and related components of the RWP, including how direct, indirect, and systemic race-based discrimination issues can be identified, monitored, and resolved.
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2017
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2018
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Anti-Racism Directorate, Government of Ontario
-
Summary:
Under the authority of The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, the Government of Ontario is committed to maintaining an anti-racism strategy that aims to eliminate systemic racism and advance racial equity.
The strategy includes the following:
1. initiatives to eliminate systemic racism, including initiatives to identify and remove systemic barriers that contribute to inequitable racial outcomes;
2. initiatives to advance racial equity; and
3. targets and indicators to measure the strategy’s effectiveness.
Research consultation for the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) and the Government of Ontario on the formation of the Anti-Racism Act, which came into force in the province on June 1, 2017 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Ontario.
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2017
End Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2017
Funders:
Government of Ontario
-
Summary:
This research project provides an evidence-based comparative analysis of three subsequent years of race data collected by Ottawa Police following the landmark 2013–2015 “racial profiling” study in Ottawa.
Description:This is a three-year follow-up data analysis following the largest “racial profiling” study ever conducted in Canada. The goals of the race data collection Project II is to assess the differences in police-citizen relations by comparing the race disproportionalities in traffic stops in the city of Ottawa over a six-year period, and to provide recommendations for Ottawa Police Service in conjunction with the goal of bias-neutral policing.
Start Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2016
End Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2019
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service, City of Ottawa
-
Summary:
An evaluation of the implementation of the Human Rights Project Charter by the Windsor Police Service (WPS).
Description:This research report provides an assessment of the Windsor Police Service’s Human Rights Project Charter involving strategies to embed human rights principles and values in all 210 of the Services employment and service delivery policies.
Start Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2015
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2016
Funders:
Windsor Police Service, City of Windsor
-
Summary:
This project involves the collection and analysis of all police traffic stops over a three-year period in city of Ottawa.
Description:This is the largest “racial profiling” study ever conducted in Canada. The goals of the race data collection project is the provision of a management tool for monitoring and reviewing traffic stops and the identification of the patterns of racial groups among all traffic stops in Ottawa.
Start Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2013
End Date:
- Month: Jul Year: 2016
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service, City of Ottawa
-
Summary:
Establishment of a cross-sectoral/community engagement partnerships with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Capital University of Economics and Business (CUEB), Beijing China.
Description:This international forum is the first sponsored by Canada’s Ministry of Labour and the Industrial Trade and Labour Program (Labour Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the Ministry of Human, Industrial Trade and Labour Program) — in support of the 2007–2009 Cooperation Framework Between the Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China in the Field of Industrial Relations and Labour Standards.
Start Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2010
End Date:
- Month: May Year: 2011
Collaborator Institution: Capital University of Economics and Trade (Beijing China)
Funders:
Ministry of Labour, Industrial Trade and Labour Program
-
Summary:
Policy Dialogue and special journal publication on Competing Human Rights Claims in partnership with the York Centre for Public Policy and Law and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
Description:This academic-governmental agency partnership seeks to both inform and shift how differently situated people from across society — ordinary citizens, journalists, human rights lawyers, advocates, and academics — think about competing human rights claims. It is designed as a major step towards the formation of a new policy for the OHRC in the area of competing human rights claims.
Start Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2009
End Date:
- Month: Dec Year: 2010
Collaborator Institution: Ontario Human Rights Commission
Funders:
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Law Society of Canada
York Centre for Human Rights
-
Summary:
This international collaborative research project — involving Canada, Japan, Indonesia, and China — examines legal consciousness and legal culture in human rights and international trade disputes.
Description:Explores intersecting themes that revolve around the impact of globalization on countries on the Asia Pacific Rim and examines the significance of legal culture as a mediator of that impact.
Start Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2009
End Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2016
Collaborator: PI: Pitman Potter
Collaborator Institution: University of British Columbia
Funders:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Major Collaborative Research Initiative)
Lorne Foster is Professor, School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA). He holds the York Research Chair in Black Canadian Studies & Human Rights (Tier 1). As the Director of the Institute for Social Research (ISR), Dr. Foster oversees the leading university-based survey research centre in Canada. He is past Academic Director, Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC); and the inaugural Chair, Race Inclusion and Supportive Environments (RISE). In his university service, he is currently the Chair of the Community Safety Council (CSC); and is a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights (PACHR). Dr. Foster is also the Director of the Diversity & Human Rights Certificate (DHRC), which he established in partnership with the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). This initiative is the first academic-industry partnership sponsored by a regulatory organization.
Today, as a member of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), Dr. Foster’s work on public policy formation and scholarship on the human rights approach to inclusive organizational change ranks among the best in its field and has consistently opened doors to new scholarly explorations through a synergistic laboratory of academic-industry collaborations. His pedagogical achievements include curricular selection as an original and active member of the Black Canadian Studies Certificate, introducing a more diverse curriculum to the University’s multicultural student body. In 2019, he was honoured with the creation of the eponymous graduate studies Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law — “the commemorative MPPAL Alumni Award named after the program’s two inaugural Directors — Professors Ian Greene and Lorne Foster — who were instrumental to the program’s success.”
A critical part of Dr. Foster’s work is public engagement and building relationships beyond the traditional scope of academia, with the mission of informing public debate, equity policies, and inclusive practice. His major knowledge mobilization research initiatives in the last 10 years include:
(1) In 2023, he served as an External Expert Consultant for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiative and the Government of Nova Scotia under the authority of the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, 2022 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Nova Scotia.
(2) In 2022, he became the Principal Investigator for York Regional Police Service (YRPS). “Anti-Racism Training" (2022–2024) York Regional Police Service and York Regional Police Services Board.
(3) In 2022, he served as Principal Investigator for York Regional Police Service (YRPS). “Racialized Community Relationship Development Project.” York Regional Police Service and York Regional Police Services Board.
(4) In 2021, he served an External Expert Consultant for the Toronto Police Service (TPS) Race and Identity-Based Data Collection Strategy (2021–2022) — reviewing the TPS’ Use of Force data and practices.
(5) In 2021, he became the Co-Principal Investigator for the Peel Regional Police (PRP) Human Rights-Based Race Data Collection Strategy (2021–2024) — examining the full range of Peel police-civilian interactions, for the fifth largest jurisdiction in Canada.
(6) In 2019, he became Principal Investigator of a major SSHRC Partnership Development Grant (2019–2022) grant for a project on “Blackness in Canada” — research examining Black Canadian identity, practice, and experiences with the intent to build networks aimed at equity policy development, implementation and outcomes.
(7) He also served as the Co-Principal Investigator for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Traffic Stop Race-Based Data Collection Project (2016–2019) — comparative research analysis of three years of race data collected by Ottawa Police following his landmark 2013–2015 “racial profiling” study in Ottawa.
(8) In 2018, he co-led a whole-of-government review of the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention (WDHP) Program and the Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP) for the Cabinet Office, Ontario Public Service.
(9) In 2017–2018, he was one of three expert consultants for the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) and the Government of Ontario on the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Ontario.
(10) In 2017–2018, Dr. Foster was an expert consultant for the Independent Street Check (Carding) Review conducted by the Honourable Mr. Justice Michael H. Tulloch.
(11) In 2017, he also co-led human rights training for all Principals and Managers in the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) — the province’s third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 122,000 students.
(12) In 2016, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the Racial Profiling Policy Dialogue, in partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Institute for Social Research (ISR).
(13) In 2015–2016, he was the Co-Principal Investigator for the Windsor Police Service’ (WPS) “Human Rights Evaluation Project,” conducting a human rights review and assessment of all WPS policies.
(14) From 2013–2016, he led the York University Research Team in conducting the Ottawa Police Service’ (OPS) Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project (TSRDCP), the largest race-based data collection study in Canadian policing history.
(15) In 2010–2016, Dr. Foster was a Canada Research Team Member for the SSHRC Major Collaborative Research Initiative Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution Project, housed at the Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia (2003–2016) — centred on the dynamic relationship between international trade and human rights law in Pacific Rim countries.
(16) In 2010–2011, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the first Canada-China Forum on International Labour Relations and Employment Standards, in Beijing China.
(17) In 2010, he also partnered with the OHRC and Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) in conjunction with Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (locally called CCMARD) — to develop and publish an inventory of “best practice” tools that is now used as a standard for municipalities to combat racism across the province.
(18) In 2009–2012, he was the co-lead academic organizer for the Competing Human Rights Dialogue in partnership with the OHRC, which culminated in the development of the first competing rights policy by any commission in the world.
His current research focus is on human rights and public policy linkages as they relate to the areas of race and ethnicity.
Degrees
Ph.D. Sociology, York UniversityProfessional Leadership
• Director, Institute for Social Research • Director, Diversity & Human Rights Certificate • Chair, Community Safety Council • Director, Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law, 2009–2013 • Adjunct Scholar, Multicultural History Society of Ontario, U of T • Member, Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) • Fellow of McLaughlin College, York University • Affiliate Member, CERIS — The Ontario Metropolis Centre • Affiliated Faculty, Centre For Refugee Studies • Member, Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association • Member, Centre for Public Policy and Law • Member, Centre for Practical Ethics
Community Contributions
• Adjudication Panel — Morley S. Wolfe Anti-Racism Youth Book Competition from 2006 to 2008. The youth book awards are an annual event sponsored by Toronto Residents in Partnership promoting anti-racism and anti-discrimination in public schools.
• African Cultural Advisory Board, Toronto Zoo from 2005 to 2010. The Advisory Board provides community overview for the African Cultural Program at Canada’s premier zoo, known for its interactive education, conservation activities, and unique wildlife experience. The Board’s mandate is to inspire people through cultural expression to live in ways that promote the well-being of the natural world.
• Multiculturalism in Action Youth Project from 2004 to 2008. Multiculturalism in Action is an acclaimed education program for public schools that is designed to teach school children aged 6 to 12 about issues relating to multiculturalism and tolerance through puppetry. The success of the project, in the initial pilot project for the Toronto District School Board, has led to the development of national outreach.
• Ethno-Racial Coalition and Social Action Committee (ERCSA) from 2003 to 2005. ERCSA is a multi-ethnic and multi-racial organization dedicated to the enhancement of multiculturalism and economic inclusion in society and community capacity building. ERCSA is engaged in public education forums, business mentoring, and youth leadership development projects in minority and inner-city communities.
• Canadians Against Slavery and Torture (CAST) from 2003 to 2013. CAST is a community coalition and campaign that is dedicated to public education. CAST acts as political lobby against the existence of slavery in the Sudan and torture in the global society.
• Toronto Residents in Partnership (TRIP) from 2002 to 2010. TRIP is a not-for-profit corporation (successor to the North York Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations), mandated to promote racial harmony and understanding through programs in the areas of community development, education, and police services.
• Director for the Concerned Kids Charities of Toronto (Communication through Puppetry) from 2002 to 2006. As a member of the Board of Directors, I oversee the organizational commitment to public awareness and education for primary and secondary school children in various anti-discrimination programs.
• Blacks & Jews in Dialogue (BJD) of the League for Human Rights from 1999 to 2004. The League for Human Rights was a finalist for the 2001 Canadian Race Relations Foundation Award of Excellence. BJD’s goal is to build community partnerships and to strengthen existing alliances within communities. Its mandate is to promote better understanding of cultural diversity, particularly among youth. It also provides a manual containing models of programming for Black and Jewish communities across the country, which can be adapted for other joint community dialogues and initiatives.
• Taking Action Against Hate Project, League for Human Rights from 2001 to 2004. I help conduct public education and awareness workshops for school districts, law enforcement organizations, and community and professional associations focusing on hate and hate crimes in a human rights context. I have also been instrumental in launching a training manual entitled “Taking Action Against Hate” that has become a standard resource for governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of anti-discrimination work.
• Member, Urban Alliance on Race Relations (UARR) from 1986 to 2000. The UARR is a non-profit charitable organization consisting of and engaged in seminars and conferences on race relations concerns. The UARR works with Boards of Education to develop and implement policies and programs, and it works with police to improve relations with minority racial communities.
Research Interests
Awards
- York Research Chair (Tier 1) Award - 2021
- The Foster-Greene Award for Excellence in Public Policy, Administration and Law “the commemorative MPPAL Alumni Award named after the program’s two inaugural Directors — Professors Ian Greene and Lorne Foster – who were instrumental to the program’s success.” - 2019
- Dean’s Letter of Acknowledgement of Research Achievements - 2019
Current Research Projects
-
Summary:
The external human rights expert consultation and review of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) DNA Canvass Protocol is to provide an analysis and recommendations on how the Protocol should be modified to ensure that DNA canvases do not result in discrimination, and with a view to promote effective, bias-free policing and enhance police-community relations, particularly with those who are vulnerable.
Description:This human rights analysis and report was given its specific mandate in the Confirmation of Settlement in the case Logan v Ontario (OPP) – which was the lead case in a series of 54 applications brought by Black migrant workers relating to the OPP DNA sweep in Elgin County the fall of 2013. The terms of the agreement were signed by the parties on May 24, 2023, and included hiring an expert in human rights to review the OPP DNA Protocol in draft form to ensure human rights compliance and to serve as a consultant in the preparation of training and anonymized data collection related to the Protocol.
Project Type: FundedRole: Expert Research Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Feb Year: 2024
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2024
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Collaborator Institution: Ontario Tech University
Collaborator Role: Expert Research Consultant
Funders:
Ontario Provincial Police
-
Summary:
Under the authority of the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, 2022, the Government of Nova Scotia is committed to equity and anti-racism and to eliminate disparities, hate and inequities that negatively impact marginalized and racialized individuals and communities in the Province. Two human rights experts, Lorne Foster and Les Jacobs, provided research consultation on the development of an Anti-Racism Data Collection Strategy to support to support the new legislation.
Description:Research consultation for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives to support the establishment of data standards for the collection and use of information to identify, monitor and address systemic hate, inequity and racism in the Government of Nova Scotia and the broader public sector including policing, health care, education, universities and colleges, social services, and the justice sector.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Feb Year: 2023
End Date:
- Month: May Year: 2023
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Government of Nova Scotia
-
Summary:
The development of a human rights-based data collection system that ensures privacy, involvement of affected communities, and limits the use of the data to human rights-related purposes only, for the advancement of community safety and well-being; and to utilize said data with a view to eliminating systemic racism in the delivery of services in policing, promoting transparency and accountability, and enhancing Black, and other racialized and Indigenous communities’ trust in policing throughout the Waterloo Region.
Description:Academic partner in the development and application of a Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Race-Based Data (RBD) Collection Strategy. This RBD Collection Strategy requires open, transparent, and accountable methods and methodology, developed by experienced academics in consultation with experienced stakeholders, the residents of the Waterloo Region, and Service members who will provide important operational context to the analysis.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2025
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Waterloo Regional Police
-
Summary:
This project involves the the development, roll-out and train-the-trainer of an anti-racism training program for the York Region Police Service (YRP).
Description:The Deliverables include but not be limited to the following:
(a) developing an anti-racism training program for all YRP members; and
(b) to provide program sustainability, the anti-racism training program developed must include a component that provides for a train-the-trainer and mentorship for YRP’s Training and Education Bureau.
Role: External Managing Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2023
Collaborator: Shaheen Azmi, Les Jacobs
Collaborator Role: Project Lead
Funders:
York Regional Police and Board
-
Summary:
The York Regional Police Service Board (YRPSB) requested a proposal for consulting services with regards to building and improving relationships with Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities in the region, including to conduct an in-depth review and analysis, based on community feedback and recommendations presented to the Board, and to prepare a final report including recommendations and best practices.
Description:In January 2022, I and my research team were contacted and an external research consultants to review and report on the provision of recommendations and best practices to enable York Regional Police to build and improve relationships with Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities’.This Review consisted of the following elements:
• Best Practices and jurisdiction scan of anti-racism responses in policing
• Document review/interviews focused on equity related policy, programming and programing at YRP
• Consultation sessions – staff and community
• Recommendations review and analysis
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2023
Collaborator: Les Jacobs, Shaheen Azmi, Dora Nipp
Funders:
York Regional Police Service
-
Summary:
The Peel Regional Police (PRP) project examines the full range of police-civilian interactions, including stop and question activities, charges, arrests, releases, and use of force.
Description:The objective of the PRP project is to develop a human rights-based data collection system that ensures privacy, involvement of affected communities, and limits the use of the data to human rights-related purposes only, for the advancement of community safety and well-being; and to utilize said data with a view to eliminating systemic racism in the delivery of police services, promoting transparency and accountability, and enhancing Black, and other racialized and Indigenous communities’ trust in policing throughout the Region of Peel.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2024
Funders:
Peel Regional Police
-
Summary:
In 2019, the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) approved the Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting Policy (Policy) to identify, monitor, and address systemic racial disparities in policing. The Policy builds on Ontario’s Data Standards and was guided by recommendations of its Anti-Racism Advisory Panel (ARAP). In alignment with the provincial Standards, the purposes of the Policy are to:
• use race-based data collection, analysis, and public reporting to identify, monitor, and eliminate potential systemic racism and racial bias;
• improve the delivery of police services;
• preserve the dignity of individuals and communities; and
• enhance trend analysis, professional development, and public accountability.
Employing a phased approach, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) will examine race data collected as of January 1, 2020 for two interactions: Use of Force (as per the Province’s regulation) and Strip Searches (in response to findings in Breaking the Golden Rule: A Review of Police Strip Searches in Ontario, 2019 (Office of the Independent Police Review Director, OIPRD).
Description:The TPS has retained the services of Dr. Lorne Foster and Dr. Les Jacobs as external independent experts to provide the examination of the TPS’ analysis and findings specified by the Phase 1 data analysis, specific to Use of Force and Strip Searches collected over a period of one year beginning January 1, 2020. The contract includes three activities:
1. an examination of the TPS’ analysis and findings;
2. recommendations to improve the collection, analysis, interpretation, and/or reporting of Phase 1 data; and
3. recommendations regarding methods and approaches (including qualitative data collection) towards the development of action plans.
Role: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Jul Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2022
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Toronto Police Services Board, Toronto Police Service
-
Summary:
Development of an organizational policy document with procedures, structural adaptations and training requirements to address in-scope regulatory and legal obligations for San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Programs.
Description:The project explores and identifies effective approaches, and develop culturally relevant best practices and procedures, for the implementation of indigenous training strategies training to address in-scope regulatory and legal obligations in Ontario and British Columbia.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Aug Year: 2021
End Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2022
Collaborator: Shaheen Azmi
Funders:
PHSA Indigenous Health, British Columbia
-
Summary:
This study focuses on a twelve-month period when race data collection was being introduced into Use of Force (UFR) Reports for Ontario Police Services. An important broad objective of this analysis is the determination of whether there were any disproportionately high incidences of racialized subjects in UFR Incidents involving the Ottawa Police Service during 2020.
Description:The 2020 Use of Force (UFR) Report introduced race as a primary unit of analysis for Ontario Police Services in broad alignment with the Race Data Standards set out in The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, which frames the modern obligation of eliminating systemic racism and advancing social equity in our public sector institutions.
Professors Lorne Foster and Les Jacobs, who have a long record of expertise working with police services in Canada, were contracted to identify and analyze any racial disparities and the variances in outcomes for different groups in the City of Ottawa pertaining to UFR incidents involving the OPS
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: May Year: 2020
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2022
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service and Board
-
Summary:
The “Blackness in Canada” research project examines Black Canadian identity, practice, and experiences with the intent of building networks aimed at equity policy development, implementation, and outcomes.
Description:The research has four objectives: (1) to investigate the Black Canadian population as a national ethno-racial identity; (2) to investigate how the experiences of Black Canadians are shaped by intersecting social, political, and economic factors; (3) to determine the most promising approaches to alleviate anti-Black racism as experienced by them; and, (4) to create a framework for a comprehensive policy network to adapt to Black community issues using a holistic approach.
Project Type: FundedRole: Principal Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2019
End Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2022
Funders:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
-
Summary:
This project involves a whole-of-government program evaluation on behalf of the Cabinet Office and the Government of Ontario of the Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention (WDHP) Program and related components of the Respectful Workplace Policy (RWP).
Description:The purpose of the whole-of-government review of the WDHP Program and related components of the RWP through an intersectional anti-racism perspective (with particular attention to anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racisms) are twofold:
1. assess the extent to which the current policy and complaint process are addressing and meeting the concerns of Indigenous, Black, and racialized employees and identify any patterns or trends in the processing of race-based complaints; and
2. make recommendations on what improvements are needed to the WDHP Program and related components of the RWP, including how direct, indirect, and systemic race-based discrimination issues can be identified, monitored, and resolved.
Role: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2017
End Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2018
Collaborator: Les Jacobs
Funders:
Anti-Racism Directorate, Government of Ontario
-
Summary:
Under the authority of The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, the Government of Ontario is committed to maintaining an anti-racism strategy that aims to eliminate systemic racism and advance racial equity.
The strategy includes the following:
1. initiatives to eliminate systemic racism, including initiatives to identify and remove systemic barriers that contribute to inequitable racial outcomes;
2. initiatives to advance racial equity; and
3. targets and indicators to measure the strategy’s effectiveness.
Research consultation for the Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) and the Government of Ontario on the formation of the Anti-Racism Act, which came into force in the province on June 1, 2017 — assisting in the development of the province’s first Race Data Standard as well as the procedural regulations for the collection, use, and management of race-related data in Ontario.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2017
End Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2017
Funders:
Government of Ontario
-
Summary:
This research project provides an evidence-based comparative analysis of three subsequent years of race data collected by Ottawa Police following the landmark 2013–2015 “racial profiling” study in Ottawa.
Description:This is a three-year follow-up data analysis following the largest “racial profiling” study ever conducted in Canada. The goals of the race data collection Project II is to assess the differences in police-citizen relations by comparing the race disproportionalities in traffic stops in the city of Ottawa over a six-year period, and to provide recommendations for Ottawa Police Service in conjunction with the goal of bias-neutral policing.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Jun Year: 2016
End Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2019
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service, City of Ottawa
-
Summary:
An evaluation of the implementation of the Human Rights Project Charter by the Windsor Police Service (WPS).
Description:This research report provides an assessment of the Windsor Police Service’s Human Rights Project Charter involving strategies to embed human rights principles and values in all 210 of the Services employment and service delivery policies.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Apr Year: 2015
End Date:
- Month: Jan Year: 2016
Funders:
Windsor Police Service, City of Windsor
-
Summary:
This project involves the collection and analysis of all police traffic stops over a three-year period in city of Ottawa.
Description:This is the largest “racial profiling” study ever conducted in Canada. The goals of the race data collection project is the provision of a management tool for monitoring and reviewing traffic stops and the identification of the patterns of racial groups among all traffic stops in Ottawa.
Project Type: FundedRole: External Expert Consultant
Start Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2013
End Date:
- Month: Jul Year: 2016
Funders:
Ottawa Police Service, City of Ottawa
-
Summary:
Establishment of a cross-sectoral/community engagement partnerships with the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Capital University of Economics and Business (CUEB), Beijing China.
Description:This international forum is the first sponsored by Canada’s Ministry of Labour and the Industrial Trade and Labour Program (Labour Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the Ministry of Human, Industrial Trade and Labour Program) — in support of the 2007–2009 Cooperation Framework Between the Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China in the Field of Industrial Relations and Labour Standards.
Project Type: FundedRole: Co-Principal Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Mar Year: 2010
End Date:
- Month: May Year: 2011
Collaborator Institution: Capital University of Economics and Trade (Beijing China)
Funders:
Ministry of Labour, Industrial Trade and Labour Program
-
Summary:
Policy Dialogue and special journal publication on Competing Human Rights Claims in partnership with the York Centre for Public Policy and Law and the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC).
Description:This academic-governmental agency partnership seeks to both inform and shift how differently situated people from across society — ordinary citizens, journalists, human rights lawyers, advocates, and academics — think about competing human rights claims. It is designed as a major step towards the formation of a new policy for the OHRC in the area of competing human rights claims.
Project Type: FundedRole: Co-Principal Investigator
Start Date:
- Month: Sep Year: 2009
End Date:
- Month: Dec Year: 2010
Collaborator Institution: Ontario Human Rights Commission
Funders:
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Law Society of Canada
York Centre for Human Rights
-
Summary:
This international collaborative research project — involving Canada, Japan, Indonesia, and China — examines legal consciousness and legal culture in human rights and international trade disputes.
Description:Explores intersecting themes that revolve around the impact of globalization on countries on the Asia Pacific Rim and examines the significance of legal culture as a mediator of that impact.
Project Type: FundedRole: Canadian Team Member
Start Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2009
End Date:
- Month: Oct Year: 2016
Collaborator: PI: Pitman Potter
Collaborator Institution: University of British Columbia
Funders:
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (Major Collaborative Research Initiative)
