Statement of Principles on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion That the following Statement of Principles on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion be adopted: The BCTF is a democratic union that recognizes the importance of encouraging and supporting involvement by all members, while recognizing that some members have historically been marginalized. For the Federation to be at its best, all members must see themselves reflected in its goals, structures, and practices. The BCTF will strive to identify and eliminate barriers to participation through programs, procedures, by-laws, and policies supported by specified resources and education. The BCTF supports equity, diversity, and inclusion within the union, the workplace, and in broader society and acknowledges that: 1. discrimination and harassment must not be ignored and must be challenged and rectified. 2. not all discrimination is deliberate or visible. Inadvertent, hidden, and systemic discrimination must be identified and addressed. 3. the marginalization of certain groups must be specifically recognized. These groups include, but are not necessarily limited to women; racialized workers; Indigenous people; people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, questioning, or two-spirit; people with disabilities; and those whose participation is impeded because of economic circumstances or family status. 4. equal opportunity to participate in the Federation does not mean treating all members the same. Within a democratic framework, promoting the engagement of members of equity-seeking groups is a valid and necessary approach to reaching equal outcomes. 5. Federation programs and policies designed to eliminate barriers must not only do so, they must be widely seen to do so.