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February 20, 2024
Karen Brown
President
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario
Yves Durocher
President
Ontario Teachers’ Federation
Mark Hancock
National President
Canadian Union of Public Employees
René Jansen in de Wal
President
Attn to: David Church, General Secretary
Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association
Karen Littlewood
President
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation
Anne Vinet-Roy
President
Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens
Laura Walton
President
Ontario School Board Council of Unions
Dear Presidents of Ontario Teachers’ and Education Workers Federations and Associations:
Re: Request for Information – Professional Development and Anti-Black Racism Expenditures
I hope this letter finds you well.
As you know, since 2022, integral to its initiative to address anti-Black racism in education, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has conducted extensive research, key informant interviews, hosted roundtable discussions, received written submissions, and consulted with students, educators, and community members.
Thank you for your written submission and perspective on various areas of education, including professional development and educator support. This information is essential to developing a workable Action Plan for duty-holders and rights-holders, including government, educators, and communities.
The OHRC was pleased that many of you emphasized the importance of funding dedicated to professional development on equity, anti-racism, anti-Black racism, and anti-oppression. The OHRC and teacher federations and associations share the common goal to address anti-Black racism effectively and ensure educators have the support and resources they need to succeed. To this end, the OHRC is seeking more information about your federation’s specific budget dedicated to professional development for this purpose. Also, the OHRC requests that you provide information on how you measure success, including data, and report on outcomes, and a breakdown of your professional development expenditures and the specific allocation for anti-Black racism initiatives for the past four years. In your response, please include specific challenges or successes. (Please see the Response Form in Appendix A for more information). This information will enhance the OHRC’s ability to meet its mandate to identify, prevent, and address discrimination, and to promote a culture of human rights in the province.
It will benefit the OHRC greatly if you provide the requested information by March 31, 2024.
The OHRC appreciates your feedback and dedication to fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all. If you have any questions or require clarification on the requested information, please contact, Juliette Nicolet, Acting Director of Policy, Education, Monitoring and Outreach, at Juliette.Nicolet@ohrc.on.ca.
In keeping with the OHRC’s commitment to public accountability and its duties in serving the people of Ontario, this letter and the responses received may be made public.
Sincerely,
Patricia DeGuire
Chief Commissioner