Task Force on Equity and Inclusivity

LBPSB STATEMENT ON RACISM

Events around the world and more recently in our community have brought issues of systemic racism, inequity, and injustice to the fore. The Lester B. Pearson School Board acknowledges that racism exists in society and has longstanding historical roots. The devastating impact of discrimination and racism can no longer be ignored. The Lester B. Pearson School Board denounces racism and discrimination in all forms. Our school board has always been committed to equity, inclusion, and respect for all. We are actively re-examining the ways in which we live these values, the ways we do not, and the work we must do to honour them. We pledge to work together with our community to lead positive change. We commit to undertake actions that will improve the learning and social experiences for the students and communities we serve. As educators, we must take an active role in addressing racism with students and staff. As citizens, we have a responsibility to raise our level of awareness and join in the collective fight for positive social change.
We deeply regret the anger and pain generated within our community. Our goal is to learn from this experience and move forward in a positive and constructive manner. We will look to provide our students and staff with opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, to learn about and discuss issues that affect disenfranchised communities and highlight the historical context of these important topics.

TASK FORCE ON EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY

Dorval, QC, July 15, 2020 - At the special meeting of the Council of Commissioners on June 22, 2020, the Council passed a resolution, “Declaration of Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination”, that not only reaffirmed the School Board’s anti-racist position, it went further by establishing a Task Force to be comprised of administrators, commissioners, staff, students, parents, and representatives of minority and disenfranchised communities to oversee the development of a comprehensive action plan to address all forms of racism and discrimination in the LBPSB.

The Task Force was mandated to start work immediately, with a status report to the Council of Commissioners no later than September 1, 2020.

A significant first step was achieved this week with the naming of Dr. Myrna Lashley as the Chair of said Task Force.

TASK FORCE MANDATE

	1.	Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing policies and procedures pertaining to addressing and eliminating all forms of systemic racism and discrimination;

and

	2.	Produce actionable recommendations to serve as a foundation upon which individual institutions, based on demographic and educational requirements, can build to promote equity and inclusivity for all students and staff.

Myrna Lashley gives an update on the LBPSB's anti-racism task force
CTV News Montreal

Meeting Minutes		Task Force Report to Council
Please click on icon to view		Please click on icon to view
	December 4, 2020
	November 13, 2020
	October 23, 2020		September 28, 2020
	October 2, 2020
	September 18, 2020

AN INVITATION FROM THE TASK FORCE ON EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY

The Lester B. Pearson School Board Task Force (TF) on Equality and Inclusivity is working diligently to gather evidence-based literature to support the TF’s recommendations to the School Board. Areas of interest include; Race and Ethnicities, Religions, Sexualities, Abilities, and Genders.

The Task Force invites the Lester B. Pearson community i.e.: students, families, and employees to share their stories and recommendations with us. This information will enable the TF to specifically understand the issues, both good and bad, which have occurred within our community. We want to make it very clear that under no circumstances will your identity be exposed. Stated clearly, while respecting confidentiality and anonymity, your confidentiality AND anonymity will be respected.

All members from the community who have a story to share may do so by submitting an email to taskforce.equity@lbpsb.qc.ca . Please ensure that your submissions are accompanied by recommendations. Individuals wishing to submit a recorded testimony may do so by clicking here.

Stories will be read and taken into full consideration by the TF. This will provide valuable information that will be vital in forming recommendations for the final report from the TF to The School Board.

Dr. Myrna Lashley

Chair, LBPSB Task Force on Equality and Inclusivity

MEMBERS

Dr. Myrna Lashley

Chair

External Members

Tiffany Callender	Chadwick Cowie	Khobee Gibson	Sabi Hinkson

Colin Jamieson	Kemba Mitchell	Fariha Naqvi-Mohamed	Matthew Pike


	Félix Robitaille	Nimalan Yoganathan

Internal Members


Sharad Bhargava Parents' Committee member LBPSB	David Chisholm Director of Schools Region 1 LBPSB	Nathalie Constant Student Services Consultant LBPSB	Lisa Davis Mancini Special Needs Representative Parent LBPSB


Andrew Henry Superintendent of Services LBPSB	Carol James Teacher LBPSB	Wusua Mitchell Elementary School Principal LBPSB	Thomas Rhymes Assistant Director General LBPSB



	Shari Waldrich Support Staff LBPSB	Finn Poirier Student LBPSB

Meeting Minutes

Task Force Report to Council