The College’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group is making progress on its mission to help the College achieve its strategic priority of increasing diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Task Group consists of five Council members and five non-Council members of the College, who were selected from among the 112 expressions of interest which were submitted by College members. 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. The Task Group’s members’ bios are available on the College website.
Since its formation earlier this year, the Task Group has selected as its co-chairs Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, a Council member from the Waterloo region; and Brian Seng-Low, RSSW, a non-Council member from Toronto.
The Task Group has held three meetings to date, on June 29, August 17 and September 15 with more scheduled in the future. Many items were discussed during these meetings, including accessibility and inclusivity; the importance of language; 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.
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.
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.