A Toronto teacher who was fired for wearing blackface on Halloween has been ordered to be reinstated by an arbitrator. Gorian Surlan, who was terminated in November 2021, will also receive compensation for lost wages and benefits over the past 20 months.

Surlan, 63, had been a teacher for 19 years at Parkdale Collegiate Institute. On October 29, 2021, he attended school in blackface makeup and black clothing, claiming he was dressed as a zombie. His costume was worn during a school assembly attended by about 250 ninth-grade students. Following the assembly, three students reported their concerns to the vice-principal, stating they were upset by Surlan's appearance. One student even showed a photo of his costume.

The arbitrator, Norm Jesin, noted in his decision that Surlan did not initially understand the gravity of the situation but apologized when informed of the students' distress. When asked about the controversy surrounding Justin Trudeau's past blackface incidents, Surlan acknowledged awareness but insisted he was not trying to imitate any person, only portraying a zombie.

Surlan, who emigrated from Serbia in 1992, had a clean disciplinary record prior to this incident. He had qualifications in various subjects, including business studies and special education, and had taught in Nigeria and Vietnam during sabbaticals. Jesin described Surlan's costume as hastily assembled with help from his daughter, who provided him with black makeup. He wore a black shirt, pants, and shoes, and covered his face with a black mask to comply with COVID-19 protocols.

Prior to Halloween 2021, the school had sent an email to staff reminding them of the potential harm caused by cultural appropriation in costume choices. Although Surlan read the email, he did not review the accompanying resources on the topic. After the incident, students expressed shock and disappointment that their teacher, who often discussed current events, would dress in blackface.

Following the assembly, the vice-principal instructed Surlan to wash off the makeup and return to class. The incident sparked significant backlash from the school community, leading to protests and numerous inquiries to the school board about how such an event could occur. Surlan was placed on leave pending an investigation.

During the investigation, Surlan expressed remorse, stating he was unaware of the significance of blackface and was horrified to learn he had traumatized students. He wished someone had warned him earlier about the potential offense of his costume. He later completed a course on anti-black racism and blackface in June 2023, and his teaching status was restored to good standing in October 2023.

The school board had terminated Surlan's employment, arguing that he should have known his actions were against board policy and that the impact on the school community was severe. However, the arbitrator acknowledged Surlan's long service and clean record, stating that a significant suspension would be a more appropriate penalty. Jesin concluded that Surlan's acknowledgment of his mistake and his efforts to educate himself warranted reinstatement, emphasizing that the community could eventually accept his return as he had shown contrition for his actions.