Human Rights & Equity

​​​​Public Information Session on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021

The HDSB is inviting students, staff, parents/guardians, community partners to attend a virtual information session on Student Voices: Student Experiences of Racism & HDSB Strengthened Commitments to Anti-Racism on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021 at 6 p.m.  The purpose of the session is to share the findings of focus groups the HDSB conducted with students in June.

Student Voices: Student Experiences of Racism & HDSB’s Strengthened Commitments to Anti-Racism Information Session (Virtual)
Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 - 7 p.m.

View Student Voices Event Details​

Human Rights Equity Action & Accountability Plan - The Way Forward​

The Human Rights Equity Action and Accountability Plan: The Way Forward​ reflects the Halton District School Board’s commitment to create and maintain safe, inclusive learning and working environments free from discrimination for students, families, staff and members of the public.

Please contact us contact@hdsb.ca if you would like to review the full plan. ​

Overview of HREAA Plan - The Way Forward​​​

HDSB Discriminatory & Harmful Language Protocol

Discriminatory and harmful language causes pain and trauma to individuals to whom it is directed. The HDSB created the Discriminatory and Harmful Language Protocol​ to provide clear expectations for how staff respond when harm is caused. 

Staff respond by interrupting the language; providing an explanation why the language is harmful and discriminatory; ensuring support is provided for those harmed; and reporting the incident to school administration for further follow up and accountability. Should incidents of discrimination or hate occur in our schools, HDSB staff are committed to responding quickly using the Discriminatory and Harmful Language Protocol. This protocol responds to discriminatory language used against people based on the protected grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code. This protocol will be followed by students and staff to promote a school environment free from discriminatory language. ​

The HDSB Human Rights & Equity Advisory Committee (HREAC) is a multi-stakeholder entity with broad membership from school and board-based leadership, trustee governance, parent representation and community agencies. The Committee functions to propose and respond to human rights and equity initiatives that support the HDSB focus on student achievement and well-being.

Discriminatory and Harmful Language Protocol Video​

We incorporate principles of equity and ​inclusive education into all aspects of our operations, structures, policies, procedures, guidelines and practices, consistent with the principles of the ​Ontario Human Rights Code.​​

The Halton District School Board believes that all students can learn and we strive to enable every student to learn effectively, to reduce achievement gaps and to improve learning outcomes for all, regardless of race, class, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and other historical forms of marginalization.​

The Halton District School Board Equity and Inclusive Education Policy reflects our commitment to create and maintain a safe, inclusive learning and working environment for students, their families, employees and members of the public. Our policy informs decisions regarding board actions across multiple areas including policies and procedures; leadership; school and community relationships; religious accommodations; curriculum and assessment practices; and actions to create a school climate free from discrimination and harrassment. These actions are supported and guided by Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy (2009) and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan (2017).

For additional information regarding equitable practices in the Halton District School Board please see additional resources below. 

Additional Resources

• Accessibility 
  
• Employment Equity 
  
• ​ Flag Policy 
• HDSB Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2017-2022
  
• Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy 
• Multi Year Plan
• Religious and Creed  Accommodations​
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For more information, contact: