Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Northern College is one of five National EDI Hubs
In 2021, the Government of Canada (through Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)) launched their 50-30 Challenge for increasing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in organizations.
The 50–30 Challenge asks that organizations aspire to two goals:
- Gender parity (50% women and/or non-binary people) on Canadian board(s) and/or senior management; and
- Significant representation (“30%”) on Canadian board(s) and senior management of other equity-deserving groups: This includes racialized, Black, and/or People of Colour (“Visible Minorities”), people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Indigenous Peoples.
The program and participants recognize Indigenous peoples, including those who identify as First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.
CICan then came together with ISED to provide a grant to five (5) Colleges across Canada to create and maintain National Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Hubs across Canada.
Proudly, Northern College was accepted and was the first college to be selected and sign on as one of these hubs.
The EDI Hub will allow for organizations signed onto the challenge to be able to access free toolkits, webinars, workshops, guest speakers, training, coaching, and consulting to assist in meeting their 50-30 Challenge Goals.
The project will run until March 31, 2024, and we are looking forward to joining you on this new adventure for a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canada!
Contact us anytime at EDI@Northern.on.ca
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force (EDITF)
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force (EDITF) works to provide employee training, self-evaluations, and learning opportunities to support EDI at Northern College.
Our Ideal Northern College
Northern College and the EDITF works to meet the goals and objectives of ‘Our Ideal College’.
Our Ideal College is welcoming and inclusive, committed to ensuring accessible services and education for all styles of learning, ensure all voices are heard, and much more.
- We are welcoming and inclusive.
- We ensure all voices are acknowledged and heard.
- We are committed to ensuring accessible services and education for all styles of learning.
- We have diverse employee demographics that represent regional community populations.
- We are committed to removing barriers.
- We are committed to equal access to learning and technology.
- We will ensure everyone is understood, and may contribute in a meaningful way.
- Further develop a culture of respect, empowerment, accountability, self-reflection, growth and openness.
- Establish an environment conducive to allow for greater connection.
- Encourage people to participate to ensure equity, diverse representation and equal voices are at the table.
- Provide spaces for diverse populations to feel safe, welcomed and to be heard.
- Recognize and rise above bias, stereotypes, assumptions, and discrimination.
- Build knowledge of Indigenous history and understanding how it affects the Peoples today.
- Provide cultural competency training and resources.
- Review policies and procedures with a focus to EDI.
- Improve continuously.
- Collect student and employee demographic information to better understand our community.
- Continue to engage with in discussions.
- Decolonize the organization by Indigenizing in all possible areas.
- Create comfortable and safe spaces.
- Improve our presence in the diverse communities that we serve.