In the post-secondary education environment, systemic discrimination appears in the form of barriers to access, employment, governance, inclusion, respect, and acceptance. The result is that particular forms of knowledge production, dissemination and pedagogy have been privileged over others, a practice that has limited the scope of scholarship, academic freedom and excellence in the academy.  

Realizing equity is both an individual and a collective responsibility. Academic staff associations must take a leadership role. Equity is more than a particular set of issues. It is a lens through which all issues should be considered. It is not about balancing different, competing interests. It is about achieving justice for all.