The Often Ignored Reality of Diversity in Canada

The complex social issues impacting diversity and inclusion in Canada are unique to our history, culture, and political climate. Unfortunately, these issues are far too often seen through the lens of American media and current events. And while we are, in some ways, culturally similar to our southern neighbours, we are different in many more. When we only look at the many intersecting social issues that impact diversity in comparison to the USA we do our own country, and all of its diverse peoples, a great disservice.  

When we discuss our own social dynamics and oppressive systems as either the same as, or better than, our neighbours we do one of two things; we either focus so strongly on American history, politics, and events that we are unable to appropriately and effectively address our own, or we feel absolved of all responsibility, viewing ourselves as better – and therefore not in need of systemic change. Neither of these perspectives is impactful; neither is helpful.

This inaccurate view of modern Canada, in combination with an often inaccurately taught national history, helps to perpetuate existing systems of oppression in our country today. In many schools today we are taught a history of Canada that brushes past, or ignores, critical, painful, and cruel parts of our past. When we are undereducated regarding our country’s history of murdering indigenous peoples, slavery, labour exploitation, internment camps, racist immigration policies, sexist policies, and homophobic law-making – then we are left unable to fully understand our country’s modern context. 

Our history is ugly, it is highly problematic, it is cruel; but acknowledging this reality is important in understanding how the structures of society today still work to preserve the privilege of some, while limiting the economic mobility of others. Canadians often view our country through a marketable lens; we see our ideals as our reality. We want to be welcoming, safe, and equitable, but we still have many of our own biases and systems to re-evaluate and change in order for that ideal to become a reality. 

Diversity and inclusion, or lack thereof, is a cultural issue. It is how we view people, the assumptions we make about them, and the way in which we interact with them. This culture is built by our past and substantiated by the lens through which we examine ourselves. These cultural biases are taught to us throughout our lives; the biases that lead to inequality and underrepresentation are often subtle, implicit, and importantly – intersectional. 

The intersectionality of identities is key in understanding how someone may or may not feel welcome in certain places. We are all viewed by society in the context of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, language, and economic status – among many other things. All of these identifiers impact how we move through the world and how the people around us treat us. And we cannot separate ourselves from any one of these identities. Someone who is black, transgender, and a woman is always black, transgender, and a woman – she cannot be separated from any of these realities. The way she is viewed in society is the culmination of all of her identities. 

This is why understanding the many varying aspects of diversity and inclusion, their historical contexts, their present realities, and our own biases in relation to them, is critical in addressing inequality and repairing or replacing exclusionary systems and environments. Acknowledging and learning about all of the unique systems of oppression that exist today within Canada is the very first step in unlearning our biases and truly valuing diversity. 

While real, tangible action is much needed in many areas, the social action of changing cultural perceptions is also critically important. Sharing accurate understanding regarding our country’s history through education, along with the acknowledgment of our own systemic issues of oppression, and the understanding of our own privileges, is important in breaking barriers and encouraging widespread changes. As Canadians, we so often discuss our values as though they are our reality. But learning about and understanding prejudice, where it comes from, how it functions, and additionally working to unlearn our own biases is a critical step in starting to build the kind of Canada we so often talk about as reality.

 

 INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

Innovation is a major driver of our economy. In today’s world, technology and digital innovation are transforming almost every aspect of business and while every industry from retail to STEM is innovative in not only the work they produce, but in their entire work environment, the education sector is falling behind. While innovation is essential for progress; it is also essential for remaining relevant and keeping afloat in an ever-changing economic landscape.

In today’s job market there is an ever-increasing array of necessary skills. This means that industry-university collaboration is going to continue to play an important role in driving success. As innovation continues to change the way that we work and what we choose to produce, educational organizations will need to adapt in turn as to prepare their students for the working world they are entering into.

While innovation has long been embraced in STEM fields, it is also becoming an increasingly important part of other industries and all industries also require a vast array of non-technical skills. Many companies, even within STEM, require skills from the humanities, the arts, and social sciences. This means that students in these disciplines should also be well prepared for a digital working world.

 

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION

For different industries and organizations, innovation can mean different things. The way new technology changes and drives various industries or positions differs and moves those areas forward in different ways. What is clear is that innovation is essential for long term-future success; and yet the education industry appears to be falling behind in this regard.

Educational systems and institutions are critically important for the present and future innovation. They are responsible for building skills and nurturing ideas for new technologies and development. While digital technology is revolutionizing the way we communicate and work, it isn’t currently revolutionizing the way we educate. Not only has distance education been largely neglected, the use of digital technologies in the classroom is also not widely embraced. Innovation can change where students learn and it can also change how they learn.

In the innovation and reforming of educational systems, diverse learning pathways and individual student development will take a front seat. New discoveries in the science of learning provide ample material for educational innovation and can prompt institutions to re-evaluate how they provide education for their students. By adapting to innovative teaching methods, there is an opportunity to measure learning among a new generation of students and discover even further improve how education is provided.

 

CLOSING THE TECH GAP

Closing the tech gap in education is essential for future innovation. Educational industries can begin by improving data infrastructure, simplifying federal financial aid processes, and by supporting student-centred learning pathways. What will be helpful to students is what will improve learning and lead industry development in education.

The education industry will need to lead innovation if it wishes to remain relevant and desires to remain the leader in skills development. As more and more businesses rely on innovation to remain competitive or to carve out a place for themselves, education will need to rise to the occasion and do the same. The innovative skills and digital familiarity now necessary to gain and retain work will require a shift in how educational insinuations approach learning and how the field of education prepares students for a changing economic landscape.

 

Click here to learn more about how Prepr is working to improve diversity and inclusion.

 

Make sure to follow Prepr on our social media channels to get timely updates on all things Prepr!

Head to the Apple store or the Google Play store to download the Prepr App and get started on building your skills for tomorrow, today!

Prepr (@PreprMe) is not-for-profit helping students, educators, job seekers, & employers upskill & re-skill through Virtual Labs, challenge based learning, & microcredentialing.

To find out how you can learn critical job skills with Prepr, visit our website.

Dayna Lang
dayna@prepr.org