Learn more about DEAI below.
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Localized procurement
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2SLGBTQIA+
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Accessibility
Coming soon
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DEAI in the workplace
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Anti-black racism
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Glossary of out-of-date terms
As we all know, words matter. Being careful and intentional with our language goes a long way when striving to make a safer and more inclusive workplace and community. Please read below for a list of commonly used words that can be harmful to communities around you.
CONTENT WARNING: Some of the terms below may be offensive or triggering. Please use caution before scrolling down.
- Ghetto: Often associated with those of low-income background or marginalized communities.
- Accepted alternatives:
- Low income
- Impoverished
- Low social economic status
- Accepted alternatives:
- Powwow: A traditional Indigenous practice.
- Accepted alternatives:
- Huddle
- Party
- Cheer session
- Debrief
- Gratitude Circle
- Accepted alternatives:
- OCD: Self-prescribed mental ailments can cause harm to those around you who actively live with such disabilities.
- Accepted alternatives:
- "I am not myself today"
- "I am feeling a bit overwhelmed"
- "I am not myself today"
- Accepted alternatives:
- Savage: What western settlers called Indigenous people
- This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.
- Crippled: Outdated, offensive term for persons with disabilities.
- This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.
- Sunshine: Former racial slur used for Black people in the time of enslavement and segregation
- This term is offensive and has no effective meaning and should be refrained from usage.
- Cakewalk: Former racial slur used for a dancing contest among African Americans in which a cake was awarded as a prize.
- Accepted alternatives:
- Easy
- Very manageable
- Light work
- Accepted alternatives:
- Sex Change: This term is harmful to gender-fluid individuals
- Accepted alternatives:
- Transitioning
- Accepted alternatives:
- Low hanging fruit: symbolic connection to the lynching of blacks that occurred frequently for decades.
- Accepted alternatives:
- Easy
- Efficient
- Easily obtainable
- Accepted alternatives:
- Peanut gallery: Old reference to a section of the crowd where low-income folks would sit, ultimately discrediting their opinions.
- Spirit animal: A form of cultural appropriation – best practice to avoid this phrase out of respect to Indigenous communities and Neighbours.
- Ghetto: Often associated with those of low-income background or marginalized communities.