Equity and Inclusion

In 1971, Canada became the first country to enact an official multiculturalism policy, recognizing the importance of diversity in our nation, with the understanding “that every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination.” (The Canadian Multiculturalism Act).

As we continue to see immigration grow in Canada and work towards reconciliation with our Indigenous communities, it is important that we understand how multiculturalism has helped to shape our country’s past, present, and future. These resources present an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the valuable contributions that Canadians from all different backgrounds make, and to combat discrimination, ignorance, and hate in order to build a stronger community.

• The Anti-Racism Resource Centre was created by the Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough to be a clearing house of information related to ending hate crime, racism, and discrimination in Peterborough and surrounding areas.
• The Ontario Human Rights Commission website explains your rights and responsibilities when it comes to racism and racial discrimination.
• Learning for Justice is focused on the collaborative work of learning and growing together to reach our goal of justice for all.
• [email protected] Equity and Inclusive Education: This module is intended for any teacher, educator, or staff member who seeks to ensure that all students – regardless of background or personal circumstances – have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
• Media Smarts is a media awareness website that provides professional development for teachers on “media and race” and other subjects.
• Founded in 2004, Canadian Immigrant Magazine began with a mandate to “inform, educate and motivate” immigrants to Canada and assist them in their new-found journey. Since then, the magazine has grown to be the only national multi-platform brand for all immigrants to Canada, on topics from careers to education to settlement.
• Canadian Heritage: Multiculturalism Day.
• Discover the significance of Multiculturalism in Canada – ensuring that all citizens keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging.
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
• Canadian Multifaith Federation (CMF) is a not-for-profit organization providing research, education, and advocacy on spiritual and religious diversity.
• The Center for Social Justice is a Canadian site that provides information on key issues relating to social justice.
• The Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
• UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international co-operation in Education, Sciences and Culture.
• 1001 Inventions creates and delivers global educational initiatives aiming to spark young people’s interest in science while promoting diversity and inclusion.
• ETFO’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy is focused on creating systemic changes to confront anti-Black racism and provide a more welcoming and inclusive union environment for Black members at provincial and local levels.
• The Black History Canada website offers a guide to online resources on the history of Canada’s Black community.
• The Government of Canada’s Black History Month website.
• CBC Radio: Meet 7 groundbreaking Black scientists from the past.
• Historica Canada: 6 recommended readings on enslavement in Canada.
• Government of Canada – Addressing anti-Asian racism.
• Government of Canada Asian Heritage Month website.
• A curated selection of films from the National Film Board that celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today.
• ETFO Asian and South Asian Heritage Month resources.
• Canadian Museum for Human Rights – The history of anti-Semitism in Canada.
• Canada and the Holocaust.
• Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies Jewish Heritage Month resources.
• The Canadian Jewish Heritage Network brings together databases and digital materials from various museums, library archives, and organizations.
• The Conversation article: What are the Jewish High Holy Days? A look at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and a month of celebrating renewal and moral responsibility.
• The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is an independent, non-partisan and non-profit organization that protects Canadian human rights and civil liberties, challenges discrimination and Islamophobia, builds mutual understanding, and advocates for the public concerns of Canadian Muslims.
• The Aga Khan Museum presents and collects art from historically significant Muslim civilizations as well as contemporary Muslim communities and diasporas around the world.
• Canadian Labour Congress: Islamophobia in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities.
• Ontario Combating Islamophobia in Schools: Province Partnering with Community Organizations to Support Muslim Students and Families.
• The Conversation article by Anti-Islamophobia researcher and educator Asma Ahmad – Islamophobia in schools: How teachers and communities can recognize and challenge its harms.

TLDSB is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous students and families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Senators, and community stakeholders. We are committed to further support our students and staff as they learn about, with, and from the rich and vibrant cultural traditions, histories, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island. For more information, please visit our Indigenous Education page.

Since 2012, TLDSB has promoted Positive Space as one of many opportunities for system learning under the umbrella of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. There are students, staff, and parents/guardians in our school communities who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus (2SLGBTQIA+). The goal of Positive Space has always been to create and identify safer and more inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities within TLDSB. For more information, please visit our Positive Space page.

Despite the many contributions of women throughout history, women continue to struggle with issues such as pay gaps, gender-based violence, sexual assault and harassment, poverty, and more. Women’s movements around the world seek to address the systemic issues that present barriers to girls and women as we work towards gender equality.

• The Ontario Women’s History Network/Le Reseau d’histoire des Femmes en Ontario (OWHN/RHFO) was established in response to the absence of women’s historical experiences at all levels of education.
• Women and Gender Equality Canada works to advance equality with respect to sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of people of all genders, including women, in Canada’s economic, social, and political life.
• Government of Canada’s Women’s History Month Page.
• Canada’s Great Women: Celebrating the contributions of 30 women in Canada’s history.
• Canadian Women’s Foundation: The Facts: Gender Equality and Gender Justice.
• UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life, and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality.
• Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and is now active in more than 75 countries.
• The Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario is a non-sectarian, non-profit, and non-partisan organization that works to empower all genders to achieve gender justice in our society.
• UN Women article: Women Leaders We Admire

There are more than 6 million Canadians, aged 15 and over, who have one or more disabilities. Everyone’s experience with disability is different, whether one is living with mental or physical impairments. Striving to remove barriers and increase accessibility so that everyone can participate benefits us all.

• Ontario Human Rights Commission: What is Disability?
• Inclusion Canada, formerly the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), is the national federation working to advance the full inclusion and human rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
• Council of Canadians with Disabilities: CCD is a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada.
• Special Education at TLDSB.
• Accessibility Strategy for the Public Service of Canada.
• The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Over half a million people in Ontario visit food banks each year. The struggles of food insecurity and poverty affect children and adults in many ways, with impoverished people being at greater risk of disease, mental health concerns, addiction, and more. Students from low-income families may face greater difficulties in the classroom for any number of socio-economic reasons. Striving to bring an end to poverty means that everyone can have their basic needs met and can aspire to be more.

• The Period Purse strives to achieve menstrual equity by providing people who menstruate with access to free menstrual products, and reducing the stigma surrounding periods through public education and advocacy.
• Poverty in Canada infographic.
• TVO Why Poverty documentary series.
• Canada Without Poverty is a federally Incorporated, not-for-profit and charitable organization that is dedicated to the elimination of poverty in Canada.
• The Canadian Council on Social Development’s website provides numerous publications around poverty-related issues.
• Feed Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Food Banks).

TLDSB’s model, Feed All Four, depicts the importance of well-being, and its connection to successful outcomes for all. Feed All Four is based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the First Nations Medicine Wheel. It is a way of thinking that connects physical, mental, and social and emotional health and wellness to the curriculum. For more information, please visit our Feed All Four page.