The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers introduced its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group earlier this year as part of its strategic priority to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. The Task Group is co-chaired by Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, Council member, and Brian Seng-Low, RSSW, non-Council member.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Task Group provides recommendations and advises Council on:
- the potential for, and/or existence of, systemic and structural racism, discrimination and/or bias within the College’s statutory, regulatory and governance policies and processes;
- strategies, including bylaw and policy amendments, standards, guidelines and other tools to address any identified issues;
- an approach to the development of partnerships with Indigenous communities to begin to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action within the regulatory sector; and
- the engagement of community groups and leaders in the activities of the Task Group.
The Task Group consists of five Council members and five non-Council members, who were selected amongst 112 expressions of interest. While it was not possible to fully represent the diversity of the Ontario public and of College members, the Task Group includes representation from Black, East/Southeast Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, South Asian, and Muslim communities, as well as persons living with a disability. Meet the Task Group here.
To date, the Task Group has held meetings on June 29, 2021 and August 17, 2021. Many items were discussed during these meetings, including accessibility; the engagement of a consultant; the collection of race-based data; the scope of a review of bylaws, policies, processes and resources; and meaningful engagement, particularly with Indigenous communities.
To learn more about the Task Group, including its mandate, members and meeting highlights, please visit the College’s regularly updated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Group webpage, or contact Amy Vranchidis at avranchidis@ocswssw.org.