Ontario Seeking Public Input on Initiatives to Combat Racism

News.ontario.ca
March 8, 2022

The Ontario government is seeking input from the community as it launches a review of the province’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan. The consultations will help inform programs supporting public education and awareness, community collaboration, and anti-racism initiatives like the Anti-Black Racism Strategy and the development of an Indigenous-focused strategy.

“As our economy continues to grow stronger, our government is committed to ensuring that all Ontarians can benefit from equal access to opportunity, and I look forward to hearing from the public on ways we can empower communities and advance racial equity in this province,” said Parm Gill, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, responsible for the Anti-Racism Directorate. “Through this consultation and review we will continue to identify and deliver initiatives that help remove barriers and promote economic inclusion, so all children, youth and families in Ontario are able to reach their full potential.”

The review of Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan is a legislative requirement under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and ensures the province continues to uphold its commitment to target systemic racism and advance racial equity for Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish, Asian and other racialized populations, and is responsive to emerging priorities.

Public and community-led engagements will inform the renewal of a whole-of-government approach that builds on existing initiatives to fight racism in the government, eliminate violence and hate, and empower communities, youth, and families.

Visit the consultation page to provide your feedback on the province’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan.

Quick Facts

• The province released A Better Way Forward: Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan in March 2017.
• Progress under the 2017-2022 anti-racism strategy includes:
• Establishing the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Anti-Racism Data Standards
• Establishing Ontario’s Anti-Black Racism Strategy
• Publishing targets and indicators to measure progress of race-based data collection in the education, child welfare and justice sectors
• Facilitating engagements with broader public sector organizations to further race-based data collection
• Establishing the Ontario Public Service Anti-Racism Policy
• Hosting Ontario’s first Economic Inclusion Roundtable, and holding conferences on anti-racism in 2018 and anti-Black racism in 2020.
• On January 31, 2022, the Ontario government announced it doubled its investment in the Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant Program, bringing the total funding for the grant program to $3.2 million over two years.
• The government introduced a $25 million Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations on February 3, 2022.
• Ontario announced on February 16, 2022 that the province is extending funding for economic empowerment programs for Black youth and entrepreneurs via the Black Youth Action Plan.