Over the past few years, the value of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) has become more prominent in exploring current systemic structures within our workplaces, community conversations and awareness campaigns. The increased realization in the need to address EDI, created an opportunity for individuals to self-reflect and reexamine their values and impact of their actions.

Written by Christina Sanakidis and Ellah Mangwiza, Managers – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

“Black History is not just for Black people — Black history is Canadian History” The Honourable Jean Augustine

Black people have been on the lands now known as Canada prior to the formation of this nation. From the sought-after explorer and linguist Mathieu da Costa, whose presence here was noted in 1608, to young Olivier le Jeune, an enslaved child from Madagascar who was brought here by a British convoy in 1628, Black presence on this land predates the 1867 formation of the dominion of Canada on Indigenous lands.

Literacy is a foundational life skill, but did you know it also offers other benefits beyond comprehension and engagement with written texts? Developing literacy skills enables us to function in society, achieve our goals, and develop our abilities. It has been shown that adult literacy levels benefit not only individuals but also society in general.