Anti-Racism Policy
1.1 Policy Statement:
The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre is committed to respectful, equitable service delivery and employment practices. The goal of this Policy is to recognize the dignity and worth of every person (whether resident, service recipient or employee) and to create a climate of understanding and mutual respect. To support our mission to achieve full equality, access and participation for immigrants and refugees in every aspect of Canadian life we are committed at the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre to ensuring the same within our organization systems, structures, programs and practices for all of our stakeholders.
Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre is committed to the ideals of Canadian Multiculturalism, and celebrates the diversity of our employees. As an ethnically and culturally diverse workplace, we encourage our employees to practice their cultural beliefs and practices in a work environment free from discrimination, harassment or prejudice. At the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, we intend to foster a culture of inclusion free of all forms of discrimination and violence, where people are treated with respect and committed to deepening appreciation of diversity and transforming all forms of exclusion.
The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre condemns harassment, denigration, discriminatory actions, and the promotion of hatred. Our agency will not tolerate, ignore, or condone discrimination or harassment and is committed to promoting respectful conduct, tolerance and diversity at all times. We are dedicated to providing an atmosphere free from barriers in order to promote equity and diversity. We celebrate and welcome the diversity of all of our employees, management, volunteers, students, members and visitors who can exercise their right to work, volunteer, access programs and enjoy an environment that is free from racism and all forms of oppression.
The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre is an organization committed to:
- The elimination of racism and all forms of discrimination by identifying and eliminating the barriers that may prevent refugees and immigrants from participating fully in Canadian society;
- The principles of equity for all races, languages, faiths and cultures reflected in the organization’s policies, procedures and relations with staff, members and the society; where the communities that we serve, members of our organization, staff of our member agencies and those with whom we do business see themselves valued and reflected within the organization;
- Increasing awareness of and appreciation for the racial, cultural, religious and linguistic diversity of Canada
- Modelling anti-racism practices to its member agencies and offering opportunities for training and education in anti-racism
- Promoting through all of its processes, practices and structures, an environment which is free of discrimination and bias.
The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre acknowledges its responsibility to:
- Provide an environment which is free of racism, sexism, discrimination and bias, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity;
- Provide an anti-racism policy that outlines the organization’s commitments to and expectations of its members, together with a complaint procedure to address any perceived violations.
- Proactively engage in anti-racism anti-oppression training for our Board, employees, management, volunteers and members to foster anti-racism anti-oppression values, attitudes, behaviours and practices.
1.2 Purpose:
The purpose Anti-Racism and Discrimination policy is to provide a list of guidelines and ensure that policies and procedures, practices and programs at the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Center are consistent with anti-racism and discrimination principles.
This policy also ensures consistency with the principles enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the aims and objectives of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, related Violence Prevention Policies under Bill 168 amendment to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, evolving Human Rights case law, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Employment Standards and other relevant labour statutes and with The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Center’s mission and core values to create a healthy and respectful environment. This policy is also consistent with international human rights promoting resolutions in concert with the advocacy goals of The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Center and works in harmony with the organizations Violence Prevention and Harassment Prevention policies to assists OCASI in complying with respective Canadian federal and Ontario provincial antidiscrimination policies to meet related funding requirements.
2.0 Application
This policy applies to all members of The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre community, which includes all employees, management, board members, volunteers, students, contractors (including vendors and suppliers), members, visitors, community partners, and any other associates.
All contractual relationships between The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre and its business, research, and community partners are governed by this policy.
2.1 Services and Facilities: Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to Folk Arts Multicultural Centre services and facilities, without discrimination or harassment because of one or more of the following prohibited grounds:
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- Race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex (including pregnancy and breast feeding), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, level of literacy, political affiliation
- This policy applies to all activities which take place at the organization offices, as well as to organization related activities which occur elsewhere, including but not limited to business undertakings, teaching or training programs, research initiatives, community and outreach projects, partnership activities, social functions, fundraising events, and activities involving access to the organization’s computer or communications systems.
3.0 Roles and ResponsibilitiesÂ
All members of The Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre community are responsible for adhering to this Anti-racism and Discrimination Policy.
4.0 Definitions
Discrimination: the denial of equal treatment in employment, in the provision of goods, services and facilities to the public and in the administration of contracts based on the prohibited grounds as defined by human rights legislation.
Systemic Discrimination: the use or application of a neutral requirement that has a negative impact on a group protected under human rights legislation. Systemic discrimination occurs when policies and practices exclude, limit or restrict members of designated groups from employment or opportunities within employment. (e.g., opportunities to apply for other jobs, participate in training, attend conferences, obtain promotions, and receive special assignments).
Harassment: any behaviour or practice that is deemed inappropriate by its adverse effects on an individual’s employment, job performance and/or personal dignity.
Designated Groups: for the purposes of its overall equity and diversity initiatives, the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre has identified women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups and gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered (GLTB) individuals. The selection of these four groups does not preclude the possibility of addressing systemic discrimination for other identifiable groups.
Aboriginal Persons: are North American Indians or members of a First Nation, Métis or Inuit. Members of a First Nation include status, treaty or registered Indians. North American Indians include non-status and non-registered Indians.
Persons with Disabilities: are persons who have a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment
Visible Minorities: are persons other than Aboriginal
