What EDI Is—And What It Is Not

People and organizations who are committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) know these terms are more than just buzzwords—they are essential pillars of strong, healthy, and thriving communities. There are still many misconceptions about what EDI truly means and we are seeing this with a move away from EDI as an organizational priority for some well-known businesses who once were regarded as leaders in this work.

At Fostering Diverse Communities Canada, we believe that understanding EDI is the first step toward meaningful change. It’s important to identify what EDI is—and what it is not.

What EDI Is:

✅ Being Aware of Differences Among Us

Our communities are full of people with differences. Indigenous Peoples, newcomers – immigrants and refugees, persons with different abilities, different religious and spiritual beliefs, skin colours, genders, sexual orientation, age – the list of difference is long. Difference is a natural part of being human.

✅ A Commitment to Ensuring All Voices Are Heard and Valued
EDI is about fostering environments where everyone—regardless of their background—feels seen, heard, and respected. It’s about amplifying diverse perspectives, not silencing others.

✅ Creating Fair Opportunities for Everyone to Succeed
Equity recognizes that not everyone starts from the same place. EDI initiatives work to remove barriers and provide the necessary resources so that all individuals have a fair chance to succeed.

✅ Fostering Belonging and Respect Across Differences
Inclusion is about ensuring that diversity is not just present but fully embraced. It means creating spaces where differences are respected, and people feel a true sense of belonging.

✅ A Strategy That Benefits Workplaces, Schools, and Communities
When organizations prioritize EDI, they foster innovation, improve team dynamics, and enhance overall well-being. Communities that embrace EDI create safer, more welcoming spaces for everyone.

✅ Rooted in Ongoing Learning, Collaboration, and Systemic Change
EDI is not a one-time initiative—it’s a continuous process of learning, unlearning, and improving policies and practices to address systemic inequities.

What EDI Is Not:

❌ About Excluding or Replacing Anyone
EDI does not mean taking opportunities away from one group to give to another. It’s about expanding opportunities so everyone can thrive.

❌ “Not Being Able to Say Anything Anymore”
Over time we have all learned that some things are just not ok to say and do. Certain terms are derogatory, racist, or discriminatory. Some pictures or jokes, for example, are outside of proper behaviour in a workplace and good relations in community. And, in a lot of cases, these are human rights violations. We all put a filter on what we say and do during certain occasions because it’s the right thing to do.

❌ A One-Size-Fits-All Checklist or Quick Fix
Every community and workplace has unique needs. EDI requires tailored approaches, not cookie-cutter solutions. It’s about deep, meaningful change—not just checking a box.

❌ Political Ideology—It’s About Human Rights and Fairness
EDI is often misrepresented as a partisan issue, but at its core, it is about fairness, dignity, and the fundamental human right to be treated with respect and opportunity.

❌ Focused Only on Ethnicity
While ethnicity is an important part of EDI, it also encompasses gender, ability, age, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, and many other aspects of identity.

❌ Just Training—Real Change Requires Action at All Levels
While training is a valuable tool, EDI is about transforming policies, practices, and cultures. Real progress happens when individuals and organizations commit to sustained action. EDI work must be approached with change management practices in mind.

Building Bridges, Not Barriers

At Fostering Diverse Communities Canada, we believe that EDI work is about bringing people together, not dividing them. By embracing EDI, we can create spaces where everyone—regardless of their background—can contribute, succeed, and feel a sense of belonging at work and in their community.

What does EDI mean to you?

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can support your EDI journey. Contact me to work on fostering diverse communities—together.

#EDI #DiversityEquityInclusion #Belonging #FosteringDiverseCommunities #EquityForAll

Tymmarah (Tymm) Mackie, MA

Founder & President, Fostering Diverse Communities Canada