Have you experienced racism in your employment journey?
If so, a province-wide survey wants your feedback.
An organization called Colour of Poverty, Colour of Change is promoting the survey, with help from Hastings & Prince Edward Public Health and the Quinte Local Immigration Partnership.
It will ask questions designed to help understand the barriers to employment that Black, Indigenous and other racialized groups face in the labour market.
The health unit is involved because there’s evidence that experiencing racism can lead to poorer health outcomes, says Victoria Law, a Public Health Nurse and the Co-chair of the Partnership.
She says she’ll be interested to see the results of the survey, so it can lead to new strategies to combat racism.
She says, a person’s health could be impacted by racism, if they decide not to go back to a health provider because they feel they were discriminated against there.
“That can certainly impact health incomes,” she says. “And the mental and physical stress of racism can have physical health consequences.”
“With the most recent census data, we know our communities are changing and that is wonderful. We just have work to do to move forward to make sure everyone has an understanding of how we can have a safe, inclusive and welcoming community.”