Ontario Human Rights Commission – Dreams Delayed 

In March 2025, the Ontario Human Rights Commission released Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti‑Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System. The report outlines clear findings and an Action Plan identifying the persistence and impacts of systemic anti‑Black racism within Ontario’s publicly funded education system, along with targeted actions for education duty‑holders, including school boards. [www3.ohrc.on.ca] 

Our Commitment and Acknowledgement 

CDSBEO acknowledges the reality of systemic and structural anti‑Black racism and discrimination within society and the education system. We recognize that Black students, staff, and families have historically experienced, and continue to experience inequities, barriers, and harm as a result of discriminatory policies, practices, and outcomes. 

We affirm our responsibility, as a publicly funded education provider and duty‑holder under the Ontario Human Rights Code, to take meaningful action to address these systemic barriers. This includes listening to Black students, families, staff, and community voices, examining our practices and outcomes, and taking steps together to create learning and working environments where Black individuals feel safe, respected, supported, and able to thrive. 

Guided by the OHRC’s Dreams Delayed Action Plan, CDSBEO is committed to advancing accountability, transparency, student well‑being, and continuous improvement, and to embedding human rights‑based approaches across our policies, programs, and practices.