Centennial College Centennial College’s board first began to look seriously at diversity issues when former MLA Richard Johnson became president in 1999. Ann Buller succeeded Johnson in 2004, and soon took steps to turn principles into policy. All constituency groups, including the board, helped to develop the College’s Diversity Statement, which articulates Centennial’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity. Centennial also affirmed that “since its Board of Governors’ perspective helps to guide College policy, it has a responsibility to be representative of the multicultural communities the College serves.”
Women's College Hospital Unless a hospital works to meet the needs of all its communities, it will be irrelevant, says the former chair of Women’s College Hospital (WCH), Michele Landsberg, “No public institution can thrive unless it attracts and helps every part of the population.”
A world leader in women’s healthcare, WCH had to create an entirely new infrastructure, purpose and mission when it de-amalgamated from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 2006. The board of WCH wanted diversity and equity to be built right into the DNA of the new organization. WCH calls its “commitment to optimal health outcomes for diverse women and their families” its Equity Vision – “While ‘diversity’ is a celebration of all that we are, ‘equity’ is our call to action,” explains former Equity Champion Hazelle Palmer. The Equity Vision incorporates the principles of human rights, anti-racism and anti-oppression, and applies to the entire hospital organization, including patients and staff. And it explicitly mandates the resources necessary to achieve its goals.
North York Seniors Centre The North York Seniors Centre (NYSC) annually serves more than 1,000 seniors from diverse backgrounds. NYSC board members were predominantly Anglo-Saxon retirees until recently – although drawn mostly from the Centre’s users, the board had not begun to reflect the demographic changes occurring in North York, one of the most diverse communities in Canada.
Harbourfront Centre Harbourfront Centre is one of the most widely attended arts and culture centres in Canada, attracting more than 12 ½ million visits annually to its events and activities. The non-profit recognizes that culture is a powerful way to connect its diverse stakeholders: audiences, users, artists, employees, volunteers, board and committee members.
United Way Toronto When United Way Toronto (UWT) reduced the size of its board of trustees, representing the community still had to be a priority. To be effective, UWT’s trustees must reflect the multicultural and multigenerational nature of Toronto.
