51±¾É«

April 27, 2023

The Government of Canada has recognized 51±¾É« as a Dimensions institution at the Construction stage.

The Construction designation recognizes that 51±¾É« is strategically addressing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in a coordinated way, has engaged in critical self-assessment and reflection, and has developed and implemented an action plan.

Since 2019, 51±¾É« has been a member of the Dimensions Pilot Program, co-developing a program to address systemic barriers and inequities in Canadian postsecondary institutions and the research ecosystem.

There are four stages of recognition in the Dimensions program (Foundation, Construction, Consolidation and Transformation), reflecting how institutions must build a foundation to make progress on equity, diversity and inclusion.

51±¾É« and the 17 other postsecondary institutions participating in the Dimensions Pilot Program applied to the stage of recognition that each institution thought best represented its EDI journey.

“I am incredibly proud of the concerted effort that went into this process,” says Heidi Northwood, 51±¾É«’s interim provost and vice-president: academic. “I would like to thank the entire Dimensions EDI Self-Assessment Team for its work in the coordination and collection of EDI data and performing the in-depth assessment of 51±¾É«’s culture, practices and systems.”

“The data collection and assessment was a key component informing the development of 51±¾É«’s Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” says Barrington Walker, 51±¾É«’s associate vice-president: EDI. “Gaining a better understanding of 51±¾É«’s demographics and the lived experiences of our community members is critical to informing future EDI work.”

In the coming months, 51±¾É« will share its Dimensions Action Plan, which is currently under administrative review by the Dimensions team. The action plan contains clear objectives, timelines and accountabilities for the 51±¾É« community to embed EDI into 51±¾É«’s research ecosystem and advance 51±¾É«’s EDI Data Strategy.

The university will work to address the recommendations set out in the Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Scarborough Charter, and the Dimensions Action Plan to assess the impact and effectiveness of the plans.