Toronto: August 14, 2008:  The Canadian Race Relations Foundation is supporting the call for an independent investigation into the circumstances which led to the shooting death of Fredy Villanueva in Montreal North, and that the terms of reference of the probe should include an examination of the role that racism and racial profiling may have played in the tragedy.

“The CRRF wishes to convey its sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Villanueva on their loss,” said Dr. Ayman Al-Yassini, Executive Director of the CRRF. “Many other jurisdictions in Canada have come to the realization that police investigating police presents an unacceptable conflict of interest and have instituted changes to avoid that conflict.

“Additionally, there have been suggestions - if not formal complaints – of police harassment of racialized youth in that area of Montreal which could have contributed to the shooting.”