The College recently established an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) working Group to consider possible issues of racism, systemic discrimination or bias that may be present within the College and its regulatory processes, as well as the larger profession. I am pleased to Chair the Working Group joined by Dr. Kofi Belfon, Dr. Michael Grand, Dr. Tae Hart and Dr. Chris Mushquash, and supported by the Registrar & Executive Director and the Assistant to the Registrar, in this very important initiative. The members of the Working Group represent diversity of race, colour, being Indigenous, places of origin, religions, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, and gender identities; reflective of the diversity of our members and the clients we serve. In undertaking this task, the Working Group is first focusing on possible discrimination or bias in the College regulatory processes. It will then turn its attention outward toward the profession, in general.
The EDI Working Group has met four times discussing its role and how to best approach the task with which it has been charged. This included the development of a member survey regarding equity, diversity and inclusion within the College. I wish to thank all of you who took the time to consider and respond to the questions raised in the survey.
In undertaking this task and in developing the survey, the Working Group agreed to a set of definitions to ensure a common understanding of “equity, diversity and inclusion” and to establish the scope of this initiative. The definitions reflect the Working Group’s focus on the potential for systemic prejudice, bias and discrimination related to race, colour, being Indigenous, places of origin, religions, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
At the most recent meeting, the Working Group undertook to begin to review the survey results and the wealth of information your feedback provided. This information will greatly assist us to identify any regulatory practices that may reflect systemic prejudice, bias or discrimination.
The next meeting is scheduled for mid-February.
Donna Ferguson, Psy.D., C.Psych.
Chair, EDI Working Group