The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within its programs, so all can feel respected, valued, and able to contribute in a meaningful way to support Ontario’s agri-food sector and rural communities.
Our commitment is demonstrated through conscious efforts to prioritize Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (IEDI) in the programs and services we provide.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Identifying and addressing patterns of systemic discrimination in practices, policies, procedures, and culture is a deep and ongoing commitment. As members of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the University of Guelph (U of G) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) strive to embed equitable, inclusive, and unbiased systems and practices in Alliance programs that remove barriers to participation and make space for diverse modes of knowledge creation and dissemination.
Historical and present-day discrimination continue to negatively impact Equity-deserving groups, including women, people with disabilities, racialized people, Indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community. The Signatories’ vision is an inclusive culture within the Programs, so all can feel respected, valued and able to contribute in a meaningful way to the success of the Agreement. Identifying and addressing patterns of systemic discrimination in practices, policies, procedures, and culture is a deep and ongoing commitment. The Signatories strive to embed equitable, inclusive, and unbiased systems and practices that remove barriers to participation and make space for diverse modes of knowledge creation and dissemination. The Signatories’ vision is demonstrated through conscious efforts to prioritize Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Programs and services provided.
Reconciliation and Indigenization
The programs and research centres of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance operate on the traditional, unceded, and treaty lands and territories of First Nations and Metis peoples, and we have a responsibility in working alongside Indigenous peoples. OMAFA and U of G are committed to working together to identify how the Alliance’s mandate and operations can be decolonized and to find opportunities to engage in dialogue with Indigenous peoples to seek pathways toward reconciliation.
Historical and present-day colonialism has displaced First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples from their ancestral homes and denied their right to self-determination. The Signatories acknowledge that the Agreement operates on the traditional, unceded, and treaty lands and territories of First Nations and Métis peoples, and that the Signatories have a responsibility in working alongside Indigenous peoples. The Signatories recognize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The Signatories are committed to identifying how their mandate and operations can be Decolonized and to finding opportunities to engage in dialogue with Indigenous peoples to seek pathways toward Reconciliation.
IEDI Principles
Transparency
Building trust, strengthening communication and support, and deepening accountability within and across the Programs. Listening to and considering the opinions and needs of diverse communities and participants in decision-making and encouraging open discussion and feedback.
Accountability
Building IEDI metrics and collecting data to establish baselines and track progress to support embedding IEDI in the Programs.
Allyship
Educating about privilege;
Learning about the history of oppression and the barriers faced by equity-deserving people; and
Supporting and removing barriers for equity-deserving groups, sharing space and resources. Enabling people with lived experience of exclusion and oppression to lead and innovate.
Inclusive Leadership
Creating a culture where people, particularly people from equity-deserving groups, feel supported voicing IEDI-related issues. Demonstrating IEDI values and behaviours.
Dedicated Resources
Dedicating resources, including but not limited to financial, human, and educational, to support decision-making, strategic planning, priority setting, and monitoring and evaluation of IEDI plans and commitments.
For further information regarding the University of Guelph’s commitment, please visit: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research [1].
