Police suspect hate crime after nooses found at Michael Garron Hospital construction site

Toronto police are investigating what they're calling a possible hate crime ona construction site at Michael Garron Hospital.

Employees called police after two Black construction workersfound a couple of noosesat the site on CoxwellAvenue, north of DanforthAvenue, on Wednesday morning.

They told police that the nooses werenot there when they left work Tuesdayafternoon.

The construction site, which will bea new patient-care centre at Michael Garron, is secured by anentry code and is monitored by24-hour surveillance video.

The construction company, EllisDon, has launched its own internalinvestigation alongside police.

No tolerance for racist actions, company says

In a statement, EllisDonsays itcontacted police immediately after the employees informed it about the noosesand officers started an investigation shortly after.

The company adds that policestayed on the sceneto help the leadership team at the construction siteaddress the workers and assure them that such actions will not be tolerated.

"I am appalled and outraged at the hateful and racist actions that took place at one of our construction sites. This will not be tolerated, not now, not ever,"saidGeoff Smith, EllisDon's CEO.

The developer says itwill work with police and use every resourceto help prosecute whomever is responsible.

Smithsays EllisDon hasworked extremely hard to ensure a culture and environment that allows people to work free of discrimination and intolerance.

"We do not intend to rest until this kind of behaviour is eradicated entirely," he added.