The University of Toronto has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the 15th consecutive year.
The competition, run by Mediacorp and published in The Globe and Mail, recognizes Canadian organizations that are creating impactful equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives within their institutions through intentional policies, community-centred action plans, and best practices.
Recipients of the 2022 award were reviewed based on the successful implementation of diversity initiatives for employees who identify as equity-deserving groups including women, Indigenous, racialized persons, those with lived experience of disability, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
U of T recognized for partnership with the Anti-Black Racism Task Force
The University of Toronto was recognized for its work with the Institutional Anti-Black Racism Task Force, an advisory task force of U of T community members that consulted across the institution to help develop recommendations addressing anti-Black racism and promoting Black inclusion and excellence.
The report provided recommendations, based on community consultations, in seven systemic areas ranging from leadership and accountability to complaints and investigations processes. It also outlined specific and actionable recommendations for U of T students, faculty, librarians, and staff.
“Addressing anti-Black racism and creating sustainable change will continue to entail some difficult and brave conversations,” noted the Task Force. “This is important work we must all do together as a University community.”
In April 2021, the University administration accepted all 56 of the Report’s recommendations.
“We accept and embrace all of the recommendations of the Task Force,” the institution noted in its response. “Senior leadership of the University of Toronto, and leaders throughout the institution, bear special responsibilities in realizing the vision the Task Force has outlined. At the same time, we call on every member of the U of T community to participate, in order to achieve the deep and lasting change that is required.”
As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, progress on work related to these recommendations will be tracked on an institutional webpage and interactive dashboard.
Cultivating a community of belonging
The 2022 Top Diversity Employer Award and the work of the Anti-Black Racism Task Force speak to the dynamic range of equity, diversity, and inclusion work taking place at the University of Toronto and recognize the institution’s ongoing efforts in the recruitment of equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous, racialized persons, those with lived experience of disability, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
The University continues to advance a multi-faceted and strategic approach to achieve its institutional diversity and inclusion goals. U of T’s Equity Offices, Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture, and divisional equity partners provide a wide range of equity materials for the University community. These include resources, training, and programming that address equity issues and build awareness of the actions we can all take to ensure our learning and working environments are inclusive and supportive.
A full list of U of T’s Equity-related supports is available on the People Strategy, Equity & Culture website.