Council on Anti-racism, Equity & Social Accountability

Unity Health Toronto’s commitment to anti-racism, equity and social accountability is essential to our ability to provide exceptional care experiences and to drive research and academic excellence. Our deeply held values of human dignity, compassion, excellence, community and inclusivity drive us to continuously nurture an environment that is inclusive and compels us to work in opposition to racism and discrimination. We recognize racism and discrimination as continuing barriers to people’s ability to access health services and to realize their full potential.

Recognizing the history and ongoing issues of systemic racism, colonization and structural inequities in Canada, including how they manifest in health-care institutions like our own, Unity Health embarked on a journey of foundational work in early summer 2020 towards anti-racism, equity and social accountability.

One step on that journey was the establishment of the Council on Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability, with its first meeting held on July 16, 2020.

The work of the council is grounded in the understanding that many people and communities have been and continue to be treated unfairly because of their race/racialization, Indigenous identity, housing status, use of  drugs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, faith, or other factors that make up a person’s social identity. The work of the council is also grounded in the belief that we must work toward eliminating all forms of discrimination, including but not limited to racism (which may include antisemitism and islamophobia), faith-based discrimination, sexism, ableism and other structural oppression that impact patients, families, caregivers as well as staff, physicians, learners and volunteers.

Last updated April 25, 2025