News

Following years of campaigning by Black lawmakers and community advocates, in 2021, the government of Canada federally recognized August 1, as Emancipation Day, and the month of August, as Emancipation Month.

While it was less than 200 years ago, in 1834, that the British Empire ended the practice of slavery in the former British colonies, which included Canada, many Canadians are unaware that Black and Indigenous peoples were once enslaved here.

Following our response to the Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion (HREI) organizational review report, the EDI-R Office had paused non-essential work during the month of December to invest our time into the reflection, planning, and building of our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.

The new office of Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism (EDI-R) is excited to share plans and commitments developed in response to the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (HREI) organizational review report (PDF), which was shared with the campus community in October 2021.   

This week is Trans Awareness week, which includes Trans Day of Remembrance (November 20). This week is a time dedicated to increasing visibility and awareness of transgender communities and their resilience, without ignoring the ongoing discrimination they encounter.

In a memo circulated to University employees last Friday, President Vivek Goel and Vice-President, Academic & Provost James Rush announced that they have acted on recommendations from the Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion office review team to create two new organizational units led by Associate Vice-Presidents that will report to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day in Canada

On June 21, 2018, the Parliament of Canada designated the month of October as Latin American Heritage Month in recognition of the significant contribution that Latin American communities have made to the social, economic, political, and cultural fabric of Canada. Latin American Heritage Month provides an opportunity to honour diverse communities and share achievements and contributions with others.

Earth Day was first envisioned over 50 years ago, with efforts focused on addressing environmental issues through teach-ins and demonstrations, among other types of advocacy. While 2021 marks the second Earth Day during this pandemic, there are resources and virtual events to (un)learn, reflect, engage locally, and take action.

March 31^st is Trans Day of Visibility.

We celebrate trans students, faculty and staff; trans scholars, artists, and community members and celebrate their diverse contributions to all facets of life and our community. It’s a day to add visibility to folx who are often invisibilized, and centre their voices and experiences.