Catholic Teachers Respond to the OHRC Report on Anti-Black Racism
“The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) report lays bare what Black teachers, education
workers, students, and families have long understood: despite years of awareness, commitments, and
consultation, there remains a serious lack of oversight, accountability, and coordination in how
anti-Black racism is addressed across Ontario’s publicly funded school system. The issue is not
whether actions are being taken, but whether they are taken consistently, intentionally, and with
lasting impact.
Within our education system, we all have a duty under the OHRC to combat any form of discrimination
against individuals based on protected grounds under Ontario's Human Rights Code, including race.
As education stakeholders, we must ensure we are doing our part in that work for the sake of those
we serve, and OECTA is no exception. The Association has been taking steps at all levels of our
organization to identify and dismantle anti-Black racism. Our initiatives include offering
professional development and training to members, staff, and leadership; the creation of
workgroups, advisory bodies, and executive positions with a focus specifically on the needs of our
Indigenous and equity-deserving members; and the creation of a multi-year strategic plan to address
racism, foster equity, and create a culture of inclusion within our Association. These initiatives
are informed by ongoing data collection, research, and the lived experiences of our Black Catholic
teachers, and we are committed to continuing to grow and strengthen them. We see the value in
creating space for all our members; our Association, and society as a whole, is stronger together.
Eliminating anti-Black racism across Ontario’s publicly funded education system is not, however,
something we can accomplish alone. It is the responsibility of all education stakeholders –
including the provincial government and school boards – to do the work with proper investment and
system-wide coordination.
Catholic teachers need robust, sustained, and properly funded training, professional development,
and support that prepares them to identify, disrupt, and dismantle anti-Black racism in curriculum,
discipline, assessment, and school culture. The typical box-checking, performative approach this
government has taken in the past will not suffice. Additionally, there needs to be anti-Black
racism and equity-focused instruction in teacher education programs, so teacher candidates are
already equipped with the tools and knowledge they need before they enter the classroom.
If we want to have any chance at achieving our shared goal of an education system free of racism,
discrimination, and harassment, we need the government to be intentional and to provide the
necessary fiscal resources and leadership. The chronic underfunding of our education system, the
increased violence, and the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis are factors that only
exacerbate the situation, and they need to be addressed immediately.
We remain committed to being active partners in efforts to build equity in education, including
with the OHRC and other duty holders – but participation is not the same as progress. We urge all
stakeholders – especially those with legislative and financial authority – to join us in
reflecting, taking accountability, and acting. Our Black students, teachers, and their families
deserve more than rhetoric; they deserve a system that is truly committed to their dignity,
identity, and success.”
- René Jansen in de Wal, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association