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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The College of Physiotherapists of Ontario is committed to addressing discrimination to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive health care system.

A diverse group of people putting their hands together.

Read our blog post: 

Being More Inclusive in Your Practice

Territorial Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the land our office is on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Reconnaissance territoriale

Nous tenons à souligner que la terre sur laquelle se trouve notre bureau fait partie du territoire traditionnel des Mississaugas de Credit, des Anishinabés, des Chippewas, des Haudenosaunees et des Wendats. Aujourd’hui, ce lieu de rassemblement est le foyer de divers groupes des Premières Nations, des Inuits et des Métis. Il est également reconnu que Toronto est visée par le Traité 13 signé avec les Mississaugas de Credit.

Statement of Awareness around Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) by the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario 

How well we achieve our mission to protect the public interest depends wholly on our ability to cultivate a climate in which everyone feels like they belong.  

Advancing safe, welcoming, and equitable physiotherapy care requires that we acknowledge and address direct and systemic discrimination within our health systems and broader communities. Both types of discrimination lead to barriers that exclude many people from participating in health systems based on identity factors like race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sex and sexual orientation, age, ability levels, and physical appearance. Discrimination often goes unaddressed, resulting in the continued oppression and marginalization of many groups both in and out of the healthcare setting. 

When systems that are meant to help people end up doing the opposite, it is not enough to be quietly anti-discriminatory: we must be actively and deliberately anti-discriminatory. It’s time for us to begin the work to do and be better.  

This is the start of an ongoing EDI journey. Our goal is to encourage participation and belonging for all, both within our organization and in the profession of physiotherapy. Right now, we are focusing on getting ourselves equipped to undergo this critical work, and we will share updates on our progress and planning as we move forward. 

We are dedicated to learning about inclusive practices, growing our knowledge base, and evolving our commitment to fostering true belonging. We are humbled by the road ahead of us, and we know that this work requires community-centered decision making. We would encourage you to join us on this journey and offer your perspective. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas, please contact consultation@collegept.org. 

We also recognize that doing this work honestly and productively is not easy, and that it will always be a work in progress. We look forward to learning more about ourselves and the societies in which we live along the way.  


Glossary  

Equity — the promotion of fair treatment and access to opportunities, growth, and advancement for all groups within a space, as well as the elimination of barriers. This process is usually dictated through an organization’s policies and practices.  

Diversity — a space is representative of the many psychological, social, or physical differences that occur among individuals.  

Inclusion — individuals are able to participate fully and express themselves safely, authentically, and productively.   

Belonging — the natural consequent of the convergence of the equity, diversity, and inclusion streams. Here, individuals feel valued and accepted within their space. This outcome occurs when a cultural climate is welcoming, trustworthy, and respectful.  

Direct Discrimination — when an individual or group is treated disproportionately worse because of their identity factors. Action is taken based on prejudice, and this can include violence, threats, and exclusion.   

Systemic (Indirect) Discrimination — the complex interaction of culture, social policy, and institutions that create advantages for some groups while perpetuating disadvantages for others over a long period of time. If a group experiences systemic discrimination within a space, they will likely face barriers to success and disproportionately poorer outcomes.  

Marginalization — the treatment of a person or group of people as insignificant or unimportant, often resulting in their exclusion from a space.

 

Resources:


Allyship

 

Disability

 

Gender Equality

 

Implicit Bias


LGBTQ2S+


Microaggressions


Racism


Anti-BIPOC Racism


Anti-Indigenous Racism


Religious-based Care


Weight Bias

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