Anti-racism and Anti-hate Initiatives at Lakehead University
Lakehead University is committed to building and fostering an environment that is free from racism and hate in all of its forms, including, but not limited to, anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism as well as antisemitism and islamophobia [see “Definitions” section below].
Lakehead University recognizes that all forms of Discrimination are violations of the values and norms of the Lakehead University community as well as violations of federal and provincial laws. Discrimination violates the fundamental right of persons to fully participate in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the community. Every member of the Lakehead University community, whether a student, faculty member, staff member, volunteer, or visitor is responsible for building and fostering a safe and healthy environment that is free from all forms of Discrimination.
| Policies and Procedures |
Lakehead University’s Human Rights Policy and Procedures sets out the rights and responsibilities of members of the University community with respect to equal treatment without discrimination, including the right to be free from racism and hate. In addition, this policy and procedures sets out the process for reporting, investigating, adjudicating, and resolving incidents of racism and hate (defined as “discrimination” under the Policy). Related Lakehead university policies include the following: Sexual and Gender-based Violence Response Policy and Procedures |
| Reporting an Incident of Racism or Hate |
If you experience or witness an incident of racism or hate, you can contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity, confidentially, as follows: T: (807) 343-8010 ext. 7763 Or you can visit the office in the Braun Building, room BB1053, on the Thunder Bay campus. When you contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity, we will coordinate a confidential and one-on-one meeting with you to learn more about the incident(s) and provide you with information about your options to address the incident(s). Under the Human Rights Procedures, your options include:
Section 2.2.4 of the Human Rights Procedures provides an option for members of the Lakehead University community to report an incident of racism or hate to the Office of Human Rights and Equity anonymously. IMPORTANT NOTE: The ability of the University to respond to anonymous complaints may be limited in certain circumstances because of the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice. Example where the University may be able to respond to an anonymous report:E.g. You come across graffiti on campus that contains words or symbols that you believe are racist or hateful and you would like the University to respond by removing the graffiti. In the above example, the University can respond to the incident based on your anonymous report. For example, the University can locate and remove the graffiti, that is, as long as your report includes sufficient detail, including a description of the graffiti and its location on campus. Example where the University’s response to an anonymous report may be limited:E.g. You have an interaction with another member of the Lakehead University community (i.e. a student or employee) in which that person says something that you believe is racist or hateful and you would like the University to respond by imposing disciplinary measures or consequences against that person. In this example, the response of the University may be limited based on your anonymous report. The reason the University may be limited in its response relates to the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice. In cases where there are alleged incidents of racism or hate, both the person who reports the incident and the person who is accused of the incident have rights. The person who reports the incident has, among other rights, the fundamental right to equal treatment without discrimination in all aspects of University life. At the same time, the person accused of racism or hate has the right to procedural fairness and natural justice, including the right to know who is making the allegations, what are the allegations, and the right to respond to those allegations, especially if the University is to impose disciplinary measures or consequences. All of these rights are set out under the Human Rights Policy and Procedures. Because an anonymous report does not reveal who is making the allegations and may not include sufficient information or evidence, the ability of the University to investigate and adjudicate the incident, including imposing any measures or consequences, may be limited. Regardless, the report will be kept on record with the Office of Human Rights and Equity and will form part of its annual report to the Board of Governors of lakehead University and will inform the University’s anti-racism and anti-hate initiatives. IMPORTANT NOTE: the limited ability of the University to respond to incidents of racism and hate is only in the context of anonymous reports. The Human Rights Policy and Procedures provides a detailed and comprehensive set of options to address incidents of racism and hate for persons who contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity directly [please see contact information above]. |
| Other Reporting Options |
In addition to the Office of Human Rights and Equity, you can report an incident of racism or hate to Lakehead Security as follows:
NOTE: Lakehead Security may refer your report to the Office of Human Rights and Equity. If you are in an emergency, and require police, fire, or ambulance, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you believe the incident you experienced or witnessed constitutes a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, you can report the incident to the police on a non-emergency basis.
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| Education and Training |
The Office of Human Rights and Equity provides education and training to members of the lakehead University community on all aspects of human rights, including anti-racism and anti-hate. If you are a member of the Lakehead University community and are interested in education and training initiatives, please contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity. |
| Annual Report |
The Office of Human Rights and Equity collects and maintains statistics on incidents of discrimination, including racism and hate, and provides the Board of Governors of Lakehead University with an annual report. The annual report will be available on this webpage in January 2026. |
| Definitions |
The following definitions are based on the Government of Ontario’s Anti-racism Strategic Plan: Anti-Black racism is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted in the unique history and experience of Black communities of enslavement. Anti-Indigenous racism is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at Indigenous people (i.e. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) and is rooted in the unique history and experience of Indigenous communities of colonialism. Antisemitism is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at Jewish people and/or followers of Judaism, communities, and institutions. Hate (or hate crime) refers to any criminal offence motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on:
Section 318 and Section 319 of The Criminal Code of Canada contains specific hate-related offences such as:
mischief relating to religious property, educational institutions, etc Islamophobia is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at Muslim people and/or followers of Islam, communities, and institutions. Racism refers to ideas or practices that establish, maintain or perpetuate the racial superiority or dominance of one group over another. Systemic racism entails the creation or maintenance of racial inequity by institutions or systems, often as a result of hidden institutional biases in policies, practices and procedures that privilege some groups and disadvantage others. |