The provincial government is taking steps to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action regarding education and training, including introducing mandatory Indigenous cultural competency and anti-racism training for every employee in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and implementing mandatory learning expectations in Ontario’s public education system curriculum.

The new employee training will help public servants partner with Indigenous people to ensure that culturally relevant and appropriate policies and programs will work to actively redress the legacy of residential schools, advance the process of reconciliation with Indigenous communities and make a real difference in the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

All public servants will complete training that includes:

• Participating in interactive activities about culture, stereotyping, and the consequences and legacies of colonization
• Learning about tools that can help develop more effective communications and relationship-building skills to promote positive partnerships with Indigenous people
• Exploring how to enhance services to Indigenous people

The training will include topics such as terminology, diversity, aspects of colonial history such as residential schools and Indian hospitals, and contexts for understanding social disparities and inequities. It will also include a focus on violence against Indigenous women.