HTEP is an anti-racist and anti-discrimination organization.

HTEP recognizes that we live in a society which disadvantages some people and benefits others based on their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, source of income, marital status, family status, economic status, level of education, immigration status and/or linguistic background.

HTEP embraces the principles enshrined in the United Nation Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We believe that the first step in eliminating racism, discrimination, and oppression is to state our principles, to live by them and to encourage other people and organizations to do the same.

HTEP believes that racism and discrimination is learned and can be unlearned. Everyone must challenge racism and discrimination, not only those targeted by it. HTEP believes racism and discrimination are an attack on our individual and collective humanity.

HTEP is committed to an active process of encouraging equitable use of power and identifying and eliminating racism and discrimination in systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, attitudes, and individual behaviours. It will actively communicate this commitment to participants, tenants, staff and the community.

HTEP encourages all volunteers, committee members and staff to report any discrimination, oppression and/or harassment they experience, witness or know about through other channels. People who report are free to do so without fear of reprisal from volunteers, committee members or staff.

HTEP is committed to investigating and resolving all reports of discrimination, oppression and harassment following the procedure laid out later in this policy.

Definitions

Discrimination: The practice or act of making distinctions between people based on such characteristics as race, ethnicity, nationality, language, faith, gender, ability, sexual orientation or economic status, which leads to the inequitable treatment of individuals or groups. Discrimination may also have the effect of withholding or limiting access to opportunities, benefits, and advantages that are available to other members of society. The Ontario Human Rights Code specifically prohibits discriminatory behaviour on the following grounds: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital/family, gender, status, immigration status or linguistic background. Economic status and level of education are also grounds of prohibited discriminatory behaviour in HTEP.

Harassment: Harassment takes many forms but can generally be defined as behaviour (including comments and/or conduct) which is insulting, harassing , intimidating, humiliating, hurtful, malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive to an individual or groups of individuals or which creates an uncomfortable work environment.

Racism: Racism is a set of implicit or explicit beliefs, erroneous assumptions and actions based upon an ideology of inherent superiority of one racial or ethnic group over another. These beliefs and assumptions are evident within organizational or institutional structures and programs as well as within individual thought or behaviour patterns.

Prejudice: A set of opinions about or attitudes towards a certain group, or individuals within it, that casts that group and its members in a common light and for which there is not legitimate basis in fact. Often based on an idea held about a particular group that assumes all members of that group share some general quality.

Systemic Discrimination: Often refers to racism or discrimination which has become historically entrenched in systems, and results in barriers to equality of opportunity for those groups who traditionally have been excluded.

Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination: Seeks to name and eliminate social, economic and political barriers that prevent the full participation of all people in an organization and society at large. It must be grounded in a careful analysis of the social relations that mediate racism and discrimination and must result in the development of strategies for action that leads to measurable change.

Anti Racism, Anti-Discrimination Organization: An organization that reflects the contributions and interests of diverse cultural, racial and social groups in its mission, operations and service. It acts on the commitment to eradicate social oppression in all forms within the organization. The organization follows through on broader external social responsibilities, including support of efforts to eliminate all forms of oppression, discrimination and racism and to educate others in anti-racism and anti-discrimination perspectives. Also, the organization frames deliberate strategies to ensure that racism and discrimination are progressively eliminated resulting in a racism and discrimination free environment.

Communications

In keeping with HTEP’s commitment to anti-racism and anti-discrimination, the following guidelines will apply to all areas of communication:

1. All communications, both external and internal, will be consistent with and promote HTEP’s anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies.
2. HTEP’s commitment to anti-racism and anti-discrimination will be reflected in all public communications
3. HTEP will, in all its publications, policies and communications with other service providers, all levels of government, funders and the general public, use language and images which are inclusive and reflect Canada’s racial, ethnic and diversity.
4. All media communications from HTEP will include the minority press, radio, TV and other minority or ethnic networks.
5. Communications emanating from HTEP will present a positive and balanced portrayal of racial and cultural minorities.
6. HTEP will try to provide service to people in the language which they are most comfortable

Last Revised Wednesday August 11, 2004