Editors Canada is committed to equity in language and action.
Editors Canada’s 2016 Professional Editorial Standards refer to bias and non-inclusion in two places:
A5.2 Understand the ethical dimensions of the publishing process (e.g., the need to address biased, non-inclusive, and offensive material and the need to respect confidentiality and privacy).
A9.2 Identify and either remove, amend, flag, or document potentially biased, non-inclusive, and offensive material (e.g., racist, sexist, culturally stereotyped assumptions or content).
Statement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The association’s Statement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion expresses our commitment to these standards. This commitment extends these considerations beyond the ethical dimensions of publishing and of biased, non-inclusive, and offensive assumptions in language to a consideration of the demographics and treatment of all our members. It is one step in creating an equitable organization.
As noted in the statement, rooting out bias is integral to an editor’s work. Addressing issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity is part of working to eliminate unconscious biases that cause oppression.
This includes both the bias in the work and the bias one brings to editing it. Attending to bias in one’s own editorial practice as well as the text being edited is a necessary aspect of addressing systemic oppression individually and institutionally.
Equity, diversity and inclusion committee
Editors Canada has an equity, diversity and inclusion committee. The current committee chair is Amber Riaz (Editors British Columbia).
Resources
Statements from Editors Canada
- Editors Canada statement on discovery of mass and unmarked graves at residential schools
- Editors Canada condemns anti-Asian violence and racism
- Editors Canada stands against anti-Black racism
- Statement of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Editors Canada encourages stock photo agencies to acquire and provide more diverse images
Other resources
Editors Canada volunteers have compiled a document with editing resources related to inclusivity. If you have any resources you’d like to add, please email us.