Squash Canada is committed to having a sport community that is reflective of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Demonstrated through our values and in special projects and programming, Squash Canada strives to create a safe, diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment for all participants.
Since 2020, Squash Canada has embarked on an intensive path to increase the organizations initiatives related to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). In June 2020, Squash Canada’s Board established the mandate for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Taskforce. The Taskforce was charged with creating a strategic framework for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Taskforce engaged squash community members from across the country who represented players, coaches, officials, parents, and volunteers who were from diverse backgrounds. The group identified gaps and opportunities related to programming, promotion, and metrics. Subsequently, a national survey on IDEA was completed and a three-year strategic plan was created in May 2021.
In September 2022, Squash Canada received funding from the Community Sport for All Initiative grant program, funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada. The CSAI funding component of the Sport Support Program sought to remove barriers and increase sport participation rates for underrepresented groups through community sport activities. Through this program, Squash Canada was able to bring $312,000 into the organization to help fund two major projects at the community level: the IDEA Encouragement Fund, and Urban Squash Centre project.
The IDEA Encouragement Fund included the creation of application guidelines, program templates, and report forms with the goal to distribute over 100 grants to eligible community organizations for targeted programming, while Urban Squash Centres included two aspects: (1) research and development of a community programming pilot handbook to provide organizations with information on job descriptions, program curriculum, policies, and procedures and more; and (2) disburse funding to three to five target communities to establish new Urban Squash Centres (similar to the Urban Squash Toronto concept) to acquire equipment, hire local employees, and deliver programming.
At the culmination of the 2022-23 CSAI project, Squash Canada once again applied for funding and in November 2023 was the recipient of $766,000 through the CSAI grant program. Squash Canada worked closely with Sport for Life to execute the proposed project which included strengthening integral relationships between the provincial, territorial, and national squash bodies, and community leaders from new to Canada and people of diverse abilities communities; and building capacity within the various individuals and organizations to better know and understand the adverse barriers to those in underrepresented communities participating in sport. In addition, the proposed project developed a variety of legacy tools including the adaptation of two Sport for Life manuals, the creation of adaptable lesson plans, the purchase of PLAYBuilder, and the training of several new Community Squash Instructors. Lastly, the proposed project culminated in the running of an 8-week long squash program for targeted community members in various regions of the country, utilizing the relationships, knowledge and understanding, and legacy tools to help execute.
Squash Canada continues to foster and encourage IDEA practices within the organization by adhering to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy.
Squash Canada marks National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30
The purpose of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is to remember missing children, honour survivors and acknowledge the impact of residential schools on Aboriginal peoples, their families and communities. Public commemoration of these tragic and distressing events, and their ongoing impact on Aboriginal people, is a fundamental part of the reconciliation process.
“On September 30, I invite the Canadian squash community to take the time to learn more about the residential school system in Canada and its impact on Aboriginal peoples. Get involved by participating in an event, in person or online, or by wearing the color orange in honour of Orange Sweater Day and the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation,” said Sandra Thompson, President of Squash Canada.
For more information on Orange Shirt Day, click here.
For more information about the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, click here.
Issued in 2015, the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada are divided into two sections: legacy and reconciliation. These recommendations were issued “to provide redress for the legacy of residential schools and to move forward with reconciliation in Canada”. In addition, they are now used to measure the progress of reconciliation in Canada.
Sport-related calls to action are listed below.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Sports and Reconciliation
87. We call on all levels of government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, Sports Halls of Fame and other relevant organizations, to raise public awareness of the history of Aboriginal athletes in this country.
88. We call on all levels of government to take action to ensure the long-term development of Aboriginal athletes and to maintain their support for the North American Indigenous Games, including funding for the staging of the Games and for the preparation and travel of provincial and territorial teams.
89. We call on the federal government to amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to support reconciliation by ensuring that policies aimed at promoting physical activity as a fundamental element of health and well-being, reducing barriers to participation in sport, increasing the pursuit of excellence in sport and strengthening the capacity of the Canadian sport system include Aboriginal peoples.
90. We call upon the federal government to ensure that national sport policies, initiatives and programs include Aboriginal peoples, and we ask, among other things :
i. in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, stable funding and access to community sports programs that reflect the cultural diversity and traditional sports activities of aboriginal peoples;
ii. an elite athlete development program for Aboriginals;
iii. programs for coaches, instructors and sports authorities that are culturally relevant to indigenous peoples;
iv. awareness-raising and training programs to combat racism.
91. We call on senior leaders and host countries of international sporting events such as the Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan-American Games to ensure that the territorial protocols of indigenous peoples are respected and that local indigenous communities are involved in all aspects of the planning and staging of these events.