SPU Study: Examining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Practices in Grassroots Organizations

Researchers at Saint Paul University have just released the report of a year-long research project that explored the implementation of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices of grassroots settlement organizations in Ontario.

Conducted in partnership with the National Newcomer Navigator Network (N4), the study was led by principal researcher Dr. Michaël Séguin, Director of the School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity, and co-researcher Dr. Bianca Briciu, Assistant Professor in the School of Leadership, Ecology and Equity.

The resulting report – Feeling Like an Insider or Just a Means to an End?: Equity and Inclusion Through the Lens of Immigrant Frontline Workers in the Ontario Settlement Sector – paints a nuanced picture of EDI practices at the grassroots level.  Despite concerted EDI initiatives in the workplace, the researchers observed a clear gap between racialized and non-racialized employees.

“When we spoke with racialized employees, most of them expressed that their organizations have successfully created a welcoming environment where individuals are free to be who they are,” shared Dr. Séguin. “However, this welcoming environment does not always translate in terms of shared power or the ability to fully participate in decision-making within the organization. In other words, people can be themselves, but only up to a certain point.”