Skip to main content
[cmsms_row data_width=”boxed” data_padding_left=”3″ data_padding_right=”3″ data_color=”default” data_bg_color=”#ffffff” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_color_overlay=”#000000″ data_overlay_opacity=”50″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″][cmsms_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#0060aa” color_transparency=”100″ margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]1. Rationale[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation=”fadeInUp” animation_delay=”0″]Silent Voice Canada Inc. supports and promotes equity, diversity and inclusion at every level within the organization. Silent Voice Canada is committed to adhering to the Ontario Human Rights Code and City of Toronto Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy & Procedures and Hate Activity Policy & Procedures (Report 19, Clause 2, Corporate Services Committee, City Council December 16 and 17, 1998) and going beyond it to ensure that it operates in an inclusive way in serving the members of the Deaf community in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#0060aa” color_transparency=”100″ margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]2. Purpose[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation=”fadeInUp” animation_delay=”0″]Silent Voice Canada affirms its strong commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and will not discriminate in any of its practices. This policy applies to all Silent Voice activities, including but not limited to program delivery, hiring practices, volunteer and consultants recruitment, purchasing, and extends to its community partnerships.[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#0060aa” color_transparency=”100″ margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]3. Policy [/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation=”fadeInUp” animation_delay=”0″]

3.1 Protected Grounds
Silent Voice Canada prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on the following grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code:

  • age
  • family status
  • ancestry
  • marital status
  • colour
  • gender identity
  • race
  • gender expression
  • citizenship
  • personal characteristics
  • ethnic origin
  • sexual orientation
  • place of origin
  • receipt of public assistance
  • religion/creed
  • record of offences
  • disability
  • political affiliation
  • membership in union/association
  • level of literacy
  • record of offences
  • culture

Silent Voice Canada deems as discriminatory any actions, including but not limited to, direct actions, organization materials, website, speeches, publications that promote or communicate discriminatory treatment on any grounds listed above.

3.2 Penalties
Discrimination will not be tolerated, condoned, or ignored by Silent Voice Canada. If a claim of discrimination is proven, disciplinary measures will be applied. For staff this includes suspension, suspension without pay, and termination; and for volunteers this includes suspension and termination.

[/cmsms_text][cmsms_heading type=”h3″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” target=”self” custom_colors=”true” color=”#0060aa” color_transparency=”100″ margin_top=”5″ margin_bottom=”10″ animation_delay=”0″]4. Definitions[/cmsms_heading][cmsms_text animation=”fadeInUp” animation_delay=”0″]

Discrimination: Unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of grounds listed in section 3.1. Discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, has the effect of preventing or limiting access to opportunities, benefits, or advantages that are available to other members of society. It is not a discriminatory practice for a person to adopt or carry out a special program, plan or arrangement designed to prevent, eliminate or reduce disadvantages that are likely to be suffered by the members of the Deaf community when those disadvantages would be based on the prohibited grounds of discrimination.

Diversity: The presence of a wide range of human qualities and attributes within a group, organization, or society. The dimensions of diversity include, but are not limited to, ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.

Equity: A condition or state of fair, inclusive, and respectful treatment of all people. Equity does not mean treating people the same without regard for individual differences.

Family Status: Spouse or spousal equivalent, children, parents or siblings.

Inclusion: The situation in which individuals or communities (both physical and demographic) are fully involved in the society in which they reside, including the economic, social, cultural and political dimensions of that society.

[/cmsms_text][/cmsms_column][/cmsms_row]