A surveillance report leaked to CBC News details how Det. Garry Carter went
undercover in the community, spying on bathhouse operators, attending
conventions in Alberta and tracking gay candidates running for city council.
The detective even reported on how gay activists questioned the police budgets.
Coun. Kyle Rae, a vocal gay rights advocate, said the report confirms what many
in the community had long suspected.
"We were seen as a subversive minority that was worthy of ridicule and violence
against us by the police," said Rae. "It's part of the paranoia of the '70s and
'80s. It's not appropriate, but I'm not surprised."
But Rae added that he doubts such surveillance would happen today, noting a
vast improvement in relations between the gay community and police over the
past decade.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Police Services Board, a civilian agency that oversees
the police force, will meet later Thursday to decide whether to investigate
officers involved in the surveillance and the leaking of the surveillance
report.
Also revealed in the report was that in 1991, then chair of the Police Services
Board Susan Eng, was spied on during her dealings with a close friend and
political confidante.
