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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Canada Research Chairs - EDI Action Plan

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The Government of Canada and the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) are committed to excellence in research and research training for the benefit of Canadians. Achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to seize opportunities and for responding to global challenges. The Government of Canada has introduced new requirements within the CRCP to support the achievement of a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Canadian research enterprise in Canada. As such, the CRCP is committed to the federal government’s policies on non-discrimination and employment equity.

All Canadian universities that accept funding from the federal CRCP are expected to make concerted efforts to take specific steps in support of developing equity and diversity targets with respect to CRCs, as well as provide a supportive and inclusive workplace for all Chairholders.

Laurentian University strongly supports a workplace environment that removes disparities experienced by the designated groups in Canada: women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities, as defined in the Employment Equity Act. Laurentian is committed to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) with respect to the selection, appointment and institutional support of CRCs.

You can learn more about the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Requirements and Practices on the CRCP website.

Other helpful ressources on the CRCP website include the 2019 Addendum to the 2006 Canadian Human Rights Settlement Agreement, as well as the program’s representation statistics pagePopulation-Based Institutional Equity Targets 2021 to 2029 page and Requirements for Recruiting and Nominating Canada Research Chairs page, including the requirements regarding using Canada Research Chair positions for emergency retention and Tier 1 third-term nominations.

Following the review of our action plan by the Canada Research Chair program (CRCP), Laurentian revised its action plan in response to reviewer comments. The following action plan was submitted to the CRCP on November 30, 2020.

Consult Laurentian University's updated Equity, Diversity and Inclusion action plan for its Canada Research Chairs.

Laurentian University is currently updating its EDI Action Plan; the update is being led by the Office of Research Services under the supervision of the Vice-President, Research. Key stakeholders within the University community will be consulted on a draft of the plan. Following this consultation, the Research Development and Creativity Council (RDCC) (a Senate sub-committee) will review the draft for approval. Once approved by the RDCC, the plan will be sent to Senate for approval and then to Laurentian’s Executive Team for final approval. 

Laurentian University is committed to the promotion and protection of a respectful, diverse and inclusive community. To that end, we have established the Policy on a Respectful Workplace and Learning and Environment. Further to the Policy, the Program on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment outlines the steps and processes, through which concerns or complaints, including those related to equity, diversity and inclusion, are addressed. Both the policy and program can be accessed through the links below. Senior administrators are made aware of specific cases in accordance with section 10.10.4 of the Program.

The Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office (EDHRO) prepares an annual report which is made available to the Laurentian Community concerning the number, type and disposition of cases and on educational and other activities related to the Policy and Program. Further information, including the annual reports, is available through the EDHRO’s website. All issues brought to the EDHRO are treated in a confidential manner.

 

Further information, please contact the EDHRO.

Links

Policy on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment

Program on a Respectful Workplace and Learning Environment

Office of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights

All of Laurentian University's institutional policies can be found on the following page: https://laurentian.ca/policies-accountability/policies

Equity Target Setting Tool: This document outlines the target percentages set by the institution in alignment with the methodology specified by the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) for the 2021-2029 period of the equity targets in number of chairs for the December 2022 deadline.

Equity Targets: Laurentian University's equity targets for the four designated groups, taking into consideration that all numbers less than five must be whitheld to protect privacy.

Current Process

Internal Process: None

External Process: None

Archived Processes

External process for Tier II Canada Research Chair in Clean Water Technology (2019)

External process for Tier I Canada Research Chair in Metallogeny (2015)

External process for Tier II Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Health (2014)

To raise awareness of its commitment to, and the benefits of, equity, diversity and inclusion within the CRCP and in the broader research enterprise, Laurentian University will implement the following:

  • A working group including members from equity-seeking groups to improve the original version of our action plan;
  • Members of CRC selection committees will complete the CRCP’s Unconscious bias training module at the start of the hiring process;
  • Use a #LULEDI hashtag to help promote Laurentian EDI initiatives on social media;
  • Post the annual reports provided to the CRCP on our website;
  • A revised and internally approved Action Plan will be sent by email to all members of the Laurentian community;
  • Create a set of best practices around EDI that could be used by other internal research evaluation committees;
  • Support and promote specific EDI initiatives in research within the context of our annual Research Week, as well as more punctual events;
  • Hold information sessions for different academic and administrative units on campus about EDI.

For questions relating to equity, diversity and inclusion at Laurentian University, contact the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Office by phone 705-675-1151 x 3427 or by email edhr@laurentian.ca.

Questions about Laurentian University's Canada Research Chairs and can be sent to the Office of the Vice-President Research at vpresearch@laurentian.ca.