From Parents of Black Children, Toronto
Parents of Black Children Canada (PoBC) acknowledges the release of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) “Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System” action plan. While this marks an important step forward for our community, it is the result of decades of tireless advocacy and unwavering calls to action from Black community organizations and activists—especially those who came before us and dedicated their lives to fighting for the rights and well-being of Black children and communities. The recommendations in this plan echo demands that have been raised for over fifty years, with roots tracing back to the 1960s.
The OHRC has a civic responsibility to confront anti-Black racism within Ontario’s education system. Since 2022, PoBC Canada has called on the OHRC to initiate an inquiry into anti-Black racism by delivering 60 victim impact statements. We are pleased to have initiated this stride to progress for justice for our Black children and youth and to see some of our demands implemented in their recommendations. PoBC Canada recognizes that many of the recommendations outlined stem from some of our demands towards the Ministry of Education and the OHRC. We hope that this action plan marks the beginning of meaningful systemic progress, one where institutions and advocates can work collaboratively toward meaningful change.
“For this action plan to lead to real, lasting change, the OHRC must hold the Ministry of Education and all duty holders accountable equally. The OHRC must play a central role in this process, creating a transparent framework for accountability. Moreover, a dedicated space for meaningful community involvement is essential, and Black advocacy groups must be fully supported, protected, funded, and resourced to hold institutions accountable for their actions.” Charline Grant, Chief Executive Officer of Parents of Black Children Canada.
While the recommendations in the action plan show promise, PoBC remains cautious about both their creation and implementation. Historically, institutions have found ways to exploit loopholes, undermining the true intent of such recommendations and often failing to bring about meaningful change. To ensure genuine progress, we strongly urge the OHRC to establish an independent third-party auditing body within the Ministry of Education, tasked with auditing school boards and addressing instances of anti-Black racism and abuse toward Black students. Furthermore, it is essential that the OHRC critically evaluates and reforms its own internal processes to guarantee that complaints of anti-Black racism are handled with the urgency, fairness, and effectiveness necessary to restore trust and deliver real justice for those impacted.
Parents of Black Children Canada remains committed to driving real, tangible change, not only through the OHRC but also through our forthcoming Combatting Anti-Black Racism Framework for Education, supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Systems Innovation Grant. Together with our community partners—the Ontario Alliance of Black School Educators, Peel Region Black Collective, Family Fuse, UPLift Black, Parents for Diversity, ASE Community Foundation for Black Canadians with Disabilities, The Collective of Child Welfare Survivors, Early Childhood Development Initiative, and Midaynta Community Services—we will continue to push for transformative action. Our community deserves more than just words; we demand accountability, support, and protection for our children. We will remain vigilant in ensuring that our work paves the way for an education system that is truly free from anti-Black racism, where every Black child can thrive without barriers.
