Please note that the DEI Task Group no longer exists and transitioned into the EDI Committee in 2022.
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers has selected a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group to assist us in moving forward on our commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan.
The Task Group is co-chaired by Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, Council member, and Brian Seng-Low, RSSW, non-Council member.
In accordance with its Terms of Reference, the Task Group will provide recommendations and advise Council on:
- the potential for, and/or existence of, systemic and structural racism, discrimination and/or bias within the College’s statutory, regulatory and governance policies and processes;
- strategies, including bylaw and policy amendments, standards, guidelines and other tools to address any identified issues;
- an approach to the development of partnerships with Indigenous communities to begin to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action within the regulatory sector; and
- the engagement of community groups and leaders in the activities of the Task Group.
On this page
Task Group updates
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – September 20, 2022
Amanda Bettencourt, RSSW, reflected on the Land Acknowledgement, as an Indigenous Member of the Task Group. Co-Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, welcomed Task Group members to the meeting. The minutes from the July 14, 2022 meeting of the Task Group were reviewed. Lise Betteridge, Registrar and CEO, provided some background information regarding Council’s approval of the…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – July 14, 2022
Natasha Young, RSW, reflected on the land acknowledgement, as an Indigenous member of the Task Group. Task Group member Sandra Southwind, RSW, set the intention for the meeting. Co-chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, welcomed Task Group members to the meeting. The minutes from the May 9, 2022 meeting of the Task Group were reviewed. The Task…
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Meeting Highlights, Joint Meeting of the DEI Task Group and the Standards of Practice Committee – June 20, 2022
Lise Betteridge, Registrar and CEO, welcomed the Task Group and Standards of Practice Committee members to the joint meeting. Task Group member Sandra Southwind, RSW, set the intention for the meeting. Lise Betteridge provided some background regarding the Association of Social Work Board’s (ASWB) Social Work Workforce Coalition and its connection to Council’s decision to…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – May 9, 2022
Task Group Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, RSW, read a Land Acknowledgement and shared some of his reflections on his own learning and experiences with respect to Reconciliation and the land. Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, RSW, welcomed Task Group members to the meeting, including its newest member, Chisanga Chekwe, Public Member. The minutes from the April 11, 2022…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – April 11, 2022
Task Group Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, RSW, read a Land Acknowledgement and provided reflections on his own learning and experiences with respect to Reconciliation and the land. Co-Chair, Brian Seng-Low, RSW, welcomed the Task Group members to the meeting. Task Group member Sandra Southwind, RSW set the intention for the meeting. The minutes from the January…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – February 16, 2022
Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW welcomed the Task Group members to the meeting. The Task Group engaged in a facilitated discussion with Uppala Chandrasekera, RSW, to provide feedback as to issues to be addressed and what should be included in the Member Census/Data Collection Policy that will support the collection of race-based and other demographic data…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – January 11, 2022
Task Group member Yusra Osman, RSW, read a Land Acknowledgement and provided reflections on her own learning and experiences with respect to Reconciliation and the land. Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW welcomed the Task Group members to the meeting. Task Group member Sandra Southwind, RSW set the intention for the meeting. The minutes from the November…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights for November 23, 2021
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group was established to assist the College in moving forward on its commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. Task Group member Carrie McEachran, Public Member, read a Land Acknowledgement and provided reflections on her own learning and experiences with…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – October 28, 2021
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group was established to assist the College in moving forward on its commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. Task Group member Charlene Crews, RSSW, read a Land Acknowledgement and provided reflections on her own experience, learnings and practices with…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights for September 15, 2021
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group was established to assist the College in moving forward on its commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. Non-Council Co-Chair Brian Seng-Low, RSSW read a Land Acknowledgement. Co-Chairs Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW and Brian Seng-Low, RSSW welcomed the Task Group…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights for August 17, 2021
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group was established to assist the College in moving forward on its commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. August 17, 2021 Council Co-Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW read a Land Acknowledgement. Co-Chairs Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW and Brian Seng-Low,…
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DEI Task Group Meeting Highlights – June 29, 2021
Council Co-Chair Sanjay Govindaraj, RSW, welcomed the Task Group members and led a round of introductions at which Task Group members shared some of their background, lived experiences and reasons for their interest in being part of the Task Group. Brian Seng-Low, RSSW, was selected by Task Group members as non-Council Co-Chair. The Registrar and…
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Group – Update
The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers has selected a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Group to assist us in moving forward on our commitment to increase diversity, equity and inclusion – a key priority in the College’s 2020-2023 Strategic Plan. Selection process The Executive Committee faced an extremely difficult task…
Task Group selection process
In considering its selection of five non-Council members of the College from among the 112 expressions of interest received, the Executive Committee faced an extremely difficult task.
The Committee carefully reviewed members’:
- powerful personal accounts of their lived experience;
- descriptions showing a range of social work and social service work experience; and
- thoughtful statements reflecting members’ deep desire to contribute to the College’s work in this important area.
The following criteria were considered in the selection process:
- a demonstrated commitment to advancing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion;
- lived experience, with priority being given to members who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour, and/or from other equity-seeking groups;
- relevant work and/or volunteer experience; and
- an understanding of, and support for, the role and the public protection mandate of the College.
While it was not possible to fully represent the diversity of the Ontario public and of College members, the Task Group includes representation from Black, East/Southeast Asian, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, South Asian, and Muslim communities, as well as persons living with a disability.
Consideration was also given to geographical and sector (social work and social service work) representation, and to balancing the current diversity among Council members.
For more information about the DEI Task Group, please contact the Office of the Registrar at oor@ocswssw.org.