On March 28, 2026, CPAC Institute hosted the Education Forum Building Capacity for Equity and Inclusion in Ontario Education in Toronto. The forum brought together educators, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers to explore how East and Southeast Asian Canadian (ESAC) experiences can be more meaningfully integrated into Ontario’s education system and how schools can strengthen their response to anti-Asian racism.
Funded by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the forum provided an important platform for dialogue and collaboration across education, academia and community sectors.
CPAC Executive Director Andi Shi highlighted that anti-Asian racism and the underrepresentation of Asian Canadians in leadership are closely linked to gaps in inclusive education. Addressing these root causes requires coordinated efforts among schools, communities, and policymakers.
In her opening remarks, CPAC President Helen Cao stressed that the absence of ESAC experiences from the Ontario curriculum is not just a gap in content, but also a gap in representation and belonging.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kevin Kumashiro, an internationally recognized leader in equity and social justice education, introduced three key lenses for advancing inclusive education: understanding the current context, addressing inequities at individual, institutional, and ideological levels, and recognizing that meaningful learning often involves reflection and challenge. He emphasized that inclusive education plays a vital role in building a more equitable society.
Dr. Bailing Zhang, Research Associate at CPAC Institute, presented findings from the report Footnote in the Story, which highlighted the limited and inconsistent inclusion of ESAC experiences in Ontario’s Grades 7-12 curriculum, as well as gaps in policy support, educator training, access to teaching resources, and most importantly, ESAC access to leadership opportunities.
An expert panel moderated by Dr. Kien Nam Luu (York Region District School Board Superintendent) featured Karlo Cabrera (Toronto District School Board), Gen-Ling Chang (ALPHA Education), and Dr. Vidya Shah (University of Toronto). Panelists emphasized the importance of leadership, policy alignment, community partnerships, and increased representation of Asian educators in advancing systemic change.
Participants also joined breakout discussions organized around six themes: curriculum and pedagogy, educator capacity building, institutional accountability in addressing anti-Asian racism, representation in leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and student mental health. These discussions generated valuable insights and practical recommendations for advancing inclusive education across Ontario.
The forum reinforced the importance of integrating East and Southeast Asian Canadian experiences into the core education system and strengthening collaborative efforts toward a more equitable and inclusive learning environment.
(By CPAC)