Anti-Racism Directorate

What we do

The Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD) leads the government’s anti-hate and anti-racism efforts. The ARD works to eliminate systemic racism in government policies, decisions, programs and services. We also work towards advancing racial equity for Indigenous, Black and racialized populations and communities impacted by antisemitism and Islamophobia.

We are committed to a more inclusive and responsive government, to make sure all people are served equitably, with a plan that is grounded in evidence and research. The ARD is responsible for:

• Ontario's Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
• delivering anti-racism and anti-hate initiatives
• overseeing the collection of race-based data by:
  • Municipal Police Services
  • Children's Aid Societies
  • Ontario School Boards
  • Government ministries and agencies

Ontario’s population and diversity

Ontario’s workforce and the impact of hate

The Anti-Racism Act, 2017

The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, focuses on eliminating systemic racism and advancing racial equity in Ontario for Indigenous, Black and racialized populations and communities impacted by antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The Anti-Racism Act, 2017, the Ontario Regulation 267/18, and the Anti-Racism Data Standards together comprise the Anti-Racism Framework, which is administered by the ministry.

The Anti-Racism Act, 2017 provides the foundation for ARD’s work. The Act requires the government to:

• identify, monitor and address systemic racism
• collect and use race-based data to measure progress report publicly on outcomes

To fulfill these obligations, we are responsible for:

• maintaining an Anti-Racism Strategy
• reviewing Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategy once every 5 years to uphold its commitment to targeting systemic racism and advancing racial equity for Indigenous, Black and other racialized populations
• publishing the annual progress reports for our progress on the Anti-Racism Strategy to help build a safer, inclusive and more prosperous Ontario
• reporting in the annual progress report on targets and indicators, established in 2019, to measure systemic change across justice, education and child welfare sectors

Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan

Ontario first released the Anti-Racism Strategy in 2017. It was updated in 2023 as the Building a Stronger and More Inclusive Ontario. Building on extensive research and community consultation, the government’s updated strategy incorporates elements of the previous strategy, such as:

• population-specific initiatives
• policy research
• accountability
• community collaboration
• new themes and initiatives

The strategy will break down barriers and address systemic challenges to ensure every Ontarian, from every corner of the province, urban and rural, can participate, contribute and succeed.

Annual Progress Reports

As required under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017, the minister responsible for Anti-Racism must publicly report on progress on the Anti-Racism Strategy through the Annual Progress Report.

Since 2020, these reports track the government’s actions and outcomes, providing insight into how the province is addressing systemic racism and advancing equity for Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities.

The Annual Progress Report provides updates on initiatives, targets and indicators that align with the commitments of the Anti-Racism Strategy through its 4 areas of action:

• economic empowerment
• supporting children and youth
• population-specific anti-racism and anti-hate initiatives
• policy and accountability

The efforts each year in the annual progress report show how the Anti-Racism Strategy is being put into action through programs delivered by ARD and partner ministries.

Read past annual progress reports:

• 2025 Anti-Racism Strategy Progress Report
• 2024 Anti-Racism Strategy Progress Report

Key programs and initiatives

Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs Grant Program

The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) is a service and grant program to support Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs in Ontario with starting and scaling a business. Over 400 entrepreneurs have been supported through business development training and a $10,000 grant.

Learn more about the program.

Black Youth Action Plan

Since 2018, over 90,000 Black children, youth, and families have been supported across Ontario through the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP).

Learn more about how Ontario is increasing opportunities for Black children, youth and families.

Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant

The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention (AHSP) Grant provides funds to faith-based, cultural, 2SLGBTQQIA+, First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous organizations and communities to protect against hate incidents in Ontario.

Organizations and communities may be eligible for a one-time grant of up to $10,000.

Learn more about the program.

Ontario’s cultural heritage and commemoration

In addition to leading Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategy, we are responsible for administering Ontario’s cultural and commemorative legislation. This includes 50 heritage month, day, week and commemoration Acts.

These Acts recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of communities across Ontario and contribute to the ARD mandate.

Learn more about the full list of legislation.

Resources for employers

In January 2021, Civic Action and the Anti-Racism Directorate held a roundtable that brought together multi-sector leaders to discuss the way employers can enhance opportunities for Indigenous, Black and other racialized talent.

Read the summary report from that session.

Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Human Rights Based Approach Framework

The Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Human Rights Based Approach Framework is a tool that supports governments, service providers and employers to design and develop policies and programs that address inequalities and prevent discriminatory practices, ensuring compliance with human rights principles and goals.

Learn more about the framework.