Ford government must reverse cuts and invest in diversity and inclusion: NDP

KITCHENER – NDP MPP for Kitchener Centre and Official Opposition Critic for Anti-Racism, Citizenship and Immigration Laura Mae Lindo released the following statement in response to news that Harmony Movement will be forced to close after 25 years, as a result of the Ford government’s cuts to equity and inclusion:

"For 25 years, Harmony Movement built stronger, more equitable and inclusive communities across our province. They’ve delivered diversity workshops to 59 of 60 English school boards across the province, organized and conducted nationwide youth conferences, and have trained tens of thousands of students and educators, as well as professionals and leaders in nearly every sector of the economy.

We are living in difficult times, especially for marginalized communities, who are being forced to deal with a marked increase in discrimination and hate crimes. But instead of partnering with and empowering organizations that have a proven track record of addressing these issues and helping educate Ontarians, Doug Ford pulled the rug out from under them.
“Ford’s funding cuts to Harmony and other important organizations and programs that help Ontarians to build communities that are more inclusive and free of discrimination are taking us backwards. New Democrats will continue to work with organizations like Harmony – which worked with the Ontario Ministry of Education to support the implementation of its Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy – to push back against these cuts and build a more inclusive Ontario, together.”