We are inviting you to provide input on a review of Ontario’s five-year Anti-Racism Strategic Plan (2017-2022) and identify priorities for the new plan. Read more about the Plan and Review below.

You are invited to register for one of five different two-hour online conversation opportunities scheduled to be held in September and October 2022.

Register

The conversations will be held via Zoom. They will be facilitated by Asha Edwin of ASHARE group. We will be in touch after you register to send you the Zoom link for your selected session. You can join by telephone if you wish.

Link to register:

https://forms.gle/WYcjZTWdMUVK8bGu9

Online Conversation Dates and Times:

Date	Times (Eastern Standard Time, EST)
Saturday, September 24, 2022	10:00 am – 12:00 pm (weekend)
Monday, September 26, 2022	6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (evening)
Tuesday, September 27, 2022	1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (afternoon)
Thursday, September 29, 2022	10:00 am – 12:00 pm (morning)
Monday, October 3, 2022	6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (evening) *
Tuesday, October 4, 2022	1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (afternoon)

* With Spanish interpretation

Overview

OCASI is one of several groups contracted by the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) to hold community consultations. The consultations organized by OCASI will focus on the experience of members of Asian (South, East, Southeast and West), Arab, and Latinx communities in Ontario, including people at the intersections of racialization and LGBTQ2+, and disabilities and regardless of immigration status. The ARD has contracted with other groups to hold separate community consultations focused on Black, Muslim and Jewish communities respectively.

What is the Anti-Racism Strategic Plan?

Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan is the province’s commitment to breaking down systemic barriers and advancing racial equity. This means reviewing government policies, programs and services to find ways for everyone to have better opportunities and outcomes. It’s about making sure the government is here to serve and support everyone in an equitable way.

The last plan was released in March 2017 and has five pillars:

• policy, research and evaluation
• sustainability and accountability
• public education and awareness
• community collaboration
• population-specific anti-racism initiatives

You can read about the 2017-2022 plan at this link: Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan.

What is the Anti-Racism Strategic Plan Review?

The Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) is required by legislation to review the Plan. The ARD carried out an online review of the Plan earlier this year. The online consultation closed on May 4, 2022.

You can read about the online consultation at this link:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-ontarios-anti-racism-strategic-plan-review

Information About  Participating in the Consultations

Registration

Please register as soon as possible to reserve your spot.

Accommodation

Please let us know if you require accommodation to join the zoom conversation. ASL interpretation is provided on request (indicate in your registration).

Interpretation

Please let us know if you require interpretation in other languages.

Data collection

We are collecting demographic information in the registration form to include in our summary report, without identifying individuals. OCASI and ASHARE group will keep confidential all information collected in this registration form. Provision of demographic data is voluntary.

Consent

Your participation and provision of personal information is voluntary. We are committed to protecting your personal information.

Questions

Should you have any questions, please contact ASHARE Group at hello@ashare.ca.

Acknowledgement

These conversations are organized in partnership and collaboration with several community organizations, groups and individuals. This effort would not be possible without their support and engagement. Below is a partial list of the organizations and groups:

Asian Community AIDS Services
Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Worker Support Network
Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic
Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto
Chinese Canadian National Council – Social Justice
Colour of Poverty – Colour of Change
Council of Agencies Serving South Asians
FCJ Refugee Centre
Justice For Migrant Workers
LGBT Youthline
Migrant Workers Action for Change
South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario
Urban Alliance on Race Relations

Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure the representation of community voices in the Anti-Racism Strategic Plan review.