“The first place that you have to be at to execute change is understanding where you currently are,” stated Board Chair Kimberly Cato at the May 31st Lunch and Learn re:the OSRP’s Race-Based Data Collection Initiative. This initiative is included in the June 2023 Membership Renewal process in order to gain a better understanding of who is a part of the OSRP. I found this webinar to be very thought-provoking and enriching as I learned about how we can use this information to help address barriers caused by race-based oppression.

Click here to view a short video from Kimberly Cato.

Discussing the OSRP’s focus on inclusivity and their pursuit of creating change to reduce systemic barriers helped me understand why it is so important to know demographics. Race-based data gives us information we can use to help better serve all the members of a community.

Kimberly Cato hosted this meeting and posed a few questions to the panelists, Michael Bowe (Senior Equity and Inclusion Leader), Kafui Sawyer, RP (Canadian Psychological Association), Shequita Thompson-Reid (Senior Director of Equity), and Dr. Maria Wallis, Ph.D., Sociology (CASW, OSRP Member).

The panelists addressed the significance of race, intersectionality, and the benefits and challenges of collecting race-based data. Bowe made a couple points that really stuck with me. He explained that race is at the centre of this conversation because “you experience all of your other identities through your race.”  Additionally, he emphasized the need for anti-racism efforts in support of black and indigenous people as we are “the most impacted in our society by racism.”

Click here to view a short video from Michael Bowe.

Each panelist brought diverse knowledge and expertise that helped attendees understand the purpose of race-based data collection. There seemed to be a consensus that this topic needs to be talked about. One long-time OSRP member shared the following reflection:

“I truly learned so much today in the webinar…as a therapist close to retirement, it is so deeply heartening to know that there are so many incredibly bright, socially conscious and engaged therapists coming up behind me! I feel I leave the profession in good, frankly better hands. Bravo!”

I found that there was a lot to reflect on after this webinar, including Thompson-Reid’s statement that there is “disproportionate access to care and all resources for BIPoC.” I believe this really highlighted the impact of race on lived experiences. I also agreed with Thompson-Reid’s perspective that data “always needs to be connected to context” in order to fulfill its intended need. Safeguarding this data is necessary so it can be used to develop actionable next steps.

Click here to view a short video from Shequita Thompson-Reid

– by Christina Forde, RP (Qualifying), Member, Connect Committee