Acting Right
This Act provides for the control of substances that can alter mental processes and that may produce harm to health and to society when diverted or used inappropriately. Unless an exemption applies, activities such as possession, sale, production, importation, and exportation involving controlled substances are prohibited (Health Canada, 2024).
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
People who use drugs experience direct harm as a result of their interactions with the criminal justice system such as stigma, loss of income and employment, and loss of housing, in addition to an overrepresentation of Indigenous, racialized, and diverse populations who are criminalized. This Act outlined minimum penalties for all drug offences, which was repealed by Bill C-5 in an attempt to address these harms (Health Canada, 2023).
The complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).
Intersectionality
This term is used to perpetuate the myth that EDI practices do the opposite of what they are intended to do, which is to encourage unity and belonging by valuing diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities.
Divisive
What is the most widely practiced religion in the world?
Christianity
Christianity is widely practiced by 31.1% of the global population as of July 2024. Islam is the second most practiced religion, with 24.9% of the global population identifying as Muslim.
Family Violence was not acknowledged in this Act until March 1, 2021 (Department of Justice Canada, 2024).
Divorce Act
This change introduced the recognition of coercive control as a form of family violence, reflecting increasing public awareness and efforts to understand the complexities of violence. However, this does not extend to children’s experiences of coercive control, which tends to slip under the radar and leave children particularly vulnerable (Nonomura & Baker, 2022). Legal solutions to gender-based violence do not impact survivors equally and may instead increase risk for marginalized communities (Parsa & Murray, 2023). Notably, “half of people in prisons in Canada experienced abuse in childhood” (Bodkin et al., 2019).
A lifelong process of self-reflection to understand personal and systemic biases and develop relationships based on mutual trust. This process involves humbly acknowledging oneself as a learner when it comes to understanding another’s experience (CPSO, 2025).
Cultural Humility
These identities are most commonly associated with diversity. While there are more than 40 dimensions of diversity, these two tend to be most visible.
Race and Gender
Which country has the most natural lakes?
Canada
Canada has the most natural lakes in the world, with some estimates of more than 2 million. Many of these rivers are traversed by Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest by canoe during the annual Tribal Canoe Journey, a deep act of decolonization (Julian Brave NoiseCat, 2018). Indigenous peoples have long been, and continue to be, the protectors of the land for time immemorial. The Canada Water Agency (2025) recognizes water as an intrinsic component of Indigenous cultures and works with Indigenous communities in their efforts.
This Act, which received Royal Assent in 2023, is the first time the individual right to a healthy environment has been recognized by federal law. It is an amendment to the 1999 version and requires the federal government to develop, consult on, and publish a Plan of Chemicals Management Priorities to increase environmental safety (Williams et al., 2023).
Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act
The Assembly of First Nations (2022) has been a major proponent of this Act. Indigenous peoples are particularly vulnerable to environmental contaminants, with confirmed traces of mercury, methyl mercury, lead, and cadmium found in traditional foods consumed by First Nations people. Canada is far behind 110 states globally in protecting its residents’ right to a healthy environment, whose rights to a healthy environment are embedded in their constitutions.
A practice that seeks accountability for social harms by engaging with the person(s) who committed the harm in a process of restorative or transformative justice (Learning Network, 2025). It is not a useful practice against someone who is intentionally causing harm, holds power, and refuses accountability (Ross, 2019).
Calling In
This myth relies on flipping the narrative and accusing oppressed groups of inciting the same violence their unearned privilege (power) enforces on others. In reality, “isms” name specific power structures that systemize prejudice and can only flow in one direction.
Reverse Discrimination/Racism
Which language has the most native speakers in the world?
Mandarin Chinese
Approximately 990 million people are native speakers of Mandarin Chinese, second at 484 million is Spanish, and third is English with 390 million. Due to colonialism and white supremacy, English (as with Spanish) is the most spoken language in the world but only 25% of people who speak English are native speakers. There are over 2000 languages in Africa (around 30% of the world’s languages), but growing concern of language endangerment within the continent and globally (Njogu, 2022); Yef, 2025).
The stated purpose of this Act is to enhance Canada’s prosperity, national security, economic security, national defence and national autonomy by ensuring that projects that are in the national interest are advanced through an accelerated process that enhances regulatory certainty and investor confidence, while protecting the environment and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples (Department of Justice, 2025).
Building Canada Act
This Act is part of the One Canadian Economy Act, which includes legislative proposals to remove federal internal trade barriers, and is a direct threat Indigenous sovereignty (Intergovernmental Affairs, 2025). The Chiefs of Ontario (2025) have detailed the negative impacts of these Acts (on Treaty Rights, land, cultural heritage, etc.) in detail. What can YOU do to help? Send a letter (template provided) to Premier Ford and your MPP!
The assumption that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is superior and preferable. The result is discrimination against bisexual, lesbian, and gay people that is less overt, and which may be unintentional and unrecognized by the person or organization responsible for the discrimination (CPSO, 2025).
Heterosexism
This myth is grounded on the premise that success is granted to those who work hard and deserve it, ignoring systemic barriers and impacts of colonization.
Meritocracy
What is the most linguistically diverse (i.e. languages spoken) country in the world?
Papua New Guinea
Approximately 9 million people speak around 840 highly diverse languages. Sadly, around 32% of Indigenous languages spoken are considered endangered largely due to their replacement by Tok Pisin (an English-based creole) or English (Kik et al., 2021).
This Act was a direct response to the overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child welfare system and affirmed Indigenous rights to self-governance.
An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
This Act has the potential to decrease the number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Indigenous communities, if the impacts of ongoing colonial harm are addressed. Neglect–in other words, poverty–is typically the cited reason for removing Indigenous children from their homes. The Act reinforces the value of cultural continuity but does not address the root cause of children’s removal, thus continuing to place them at risk (Perera, 2024).
Everyday actions or comments that subtly express a stereotype of, or prejudice towards, a marginalized group. It is a form of discrimination that enacts and reinforces systems of oppression at an interpersonal level. Cumulatively, they contribute to larger systemic inequities that create, foster, and enforce marginalization. They reflect and reinforce harmful dominant imaginaries about which individuals or groups are superior/inferior, normal/abnormal, and desirable/undesirable (CPSO, 2025).
Microaggressions
Organizations and systems use this myth to justify a lack of diversity, stating there are not enough “qualified” candidates from specific under/un-represented groups. It is repeated as an empty excuse, rather than to incite meaningful dialogue around systemic issues and internal policies and practices.
The Pipeline Problem
Which country is known for having the most United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 2025b) World Heritage Sites?
Italy
Italy is home to 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (of a total 1248 globally) that include cultural, historical, and natural landmarks. The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi in Kenya, for example, was a major Swahili city from the 10th to 17th centuries. It was part of a complex, international network of trade and cultural exchanges that crossed the Indian Ocean, linking African coastal centres with Persia and other areas (UNESCO, 2025a).