Waterloo region public school board's diversity job fair garners racially charged backlash
CBC
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is hosting a job fair to hire more Indigenous, Black and racialized staff, and it's getting lots of attention — a majority of it not positive.
Many people responding to the WRDSB's tweet about the March 29 job fair accused the school board of discriminating against white candidates.
A majority of the accounts that commented under the WRDSB tweet did not have obvious ties to Ontario's Waterloo region.
On Tuesday, the WRDSB turned off the comments on the tweet, which went up Friday, before 297 of them were posted.
Some of the commenters accused the board of racism.
Contacted by CBC, the WRDSB said in a written statement: "The Ministry of Education has identified a significant gap that exists not only in the Waterloo region, but across Ontario. In response, the ministry has directed boards to encourage diversity in the teaching workforce, as it should be reflective of the diversity in the province."
CBC received an email from a member of the public expressing concerns about the WRDSB job fair. The person asked the school board to answer his questions about the event "which Caucasians are apparently not allowed to attend."
A number of local media outlets, including CBC, were copied on that email.
"I am thinking of my five-year-old great niece, since my wife and I lost our children, and her future opportunities as a Caucasian woman in our society," the initial inquiry read in part. "Everyone, I repeat, everyone deserves an equal opportunity."
After WRDSB sent CBC the statement above, trustee Joanne Weston replied to the concerned citizen with a statement she jointly wrote with the public school board's director, jeewan chanicka. Their statement clarified the WRDSB is not limited to only hiring people based on their racial identity.
"We are seeking qualified expertise that shares these backgrounds and lived experiences because it will support us in better supporting all the students we serve. In this way, we are ensuring that public education supports all students."
When asked whether white people would be allowed to attend, WRDSB sent CBC a followup statement.
"The job information fair, like many programs to support the inclusion of marginalized groups, was developed for those who are racialized but open to everyone. There are no discriminatory practices in the WRDSB."
WRDSB said the job fair for Indigenous, Black and racialized Individuals has been held for three years.
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