How do we eliminate systemic racism in Ontario?
Talking about racism in the workplace can be awkward and uncomfortable, but when racism goes unacknowledged, it can lead to difficult and even hostile environments. Valuing the diverse talent that Indigenous, Black and other racialized Ontarians offer isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business.
The Anti-Racism Directorate in the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism was established in 2016 with mandate to eliminate systemic racism and advance racial equity. It quickly set to engaging communities across Ontario, and determined that anti-racism legislation, strategy and policies needed to be established in the education system, the justice system, and the workforce.
Eliminating systemic racism isn’t just ensuring workers have equitable access to opportunities and supports when they do experience systemic racism; it’s also strengthening and enriching workplaces with workers with fresh perspectives and diverse backgrounds.
As a Strategic Advisor with the Ministry, Melinda holds workshops and creates evidence-based resources about identifying systemic racism and advancing the systemic fair treatment of Indigenous, Black and other racialized people. From Main Street to Bay Street, private sector to non-profit, Melinda and her colleagues work directly with diverse stakeholders to find and eliminate barriers and systemic racism in their organizations, which helps them hire, retain, and promote Indigenous, Black and other racialized people, which paves the way for more organizational change.
AMAPCEO represents over 15,000 professional public servants like Melinda, whose work makes Ontario stronger and more diverse.
