Equity:  is fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while at the same time striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have prevented the full participation of some groups. Improving equity involves increasing justice and fairness within the procedures and processes of institutions or systems, as well as potentially the distribution of resources. 

Diversity: includes all the different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. While diversity is often used in reference to ethnicity and gender, we embrace a broader definition of diversity that also includes age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. Our definition also includes diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. 

Inclusion:  is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and offers respect for all people. 

Accessibility: means giving people of all abilities opportunities to participate fully in everyday life. Accessibility refers to the ability to access and benefit from a system, service, product, environment, or workplace. It involves identifying, removing, and preventing barriers that may limit a person’s full and equal participation. 

Self-identification data helps us better understand who makes up our community; identify barriers to participation and advancement; and, make informed decisions that support equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging at RRC Polytech. 

Self-identify and make your voice heard!

• It’s quick and easy – the Your Voice Matters – Student Self-Identification EDIA Form takes about one minute to complete. 
• It’s simple – you select the option that best represents your status for each of the five equity-deserving groups. 
• It’s confidential – self-identification data is collected and stored confidentially, and only aggregate data will be reported. 
• It’s impactful – your participation helps us better understand our community; identify gaps and barriers; and inform programs, policies, and initiatives that support an inclusive and accessible Polytech. 

Log into HUB, select the Forms application, and navigate to the “Student Self-Identification EDIA Form.” A link to the form will also appear as a banner at the top of the HUB homepage, if you have not already completed the form.

If you require accessible accommodations, please email diversity@rrc.ca.

RRC Polytech is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace that reflects the employees, students, and communities we serve. Self-identification data helps RRC Polytech understand who is represented in our community so that we can identify barriers, measure representation, and take meaningful action to improve equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The information collected is used in aggregate form to support data-informed decisions, programs, policies, and initiatives across the Polytech. And, the information collected helps us understand evolving trends at the Polytech and evaluate whether our actions are making a meaningful difference over time. 

While filling out the self-identification form is mandatory, you do not have to enter data if you do not wish to do so. For each question, you may choose to self-identify, indicate that you are not a member of that group, or select “I choose not to declare.”

However, all students are encouraged to input their information – it is confidential, helps us to better understand student representation, and is an important part of shaping the Polytech’s work around equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Sure, you can. It is acknowledged that an individual’s self-identification and their comfort level in sharing this information may change over time. With this in mind, all students are encouraged to update their information as they see fit. The system is prepared to save any changes once a day. 

Diversity language is an evolving field, and therefore, we have used terminology in this survey that is consistent with what is used by the Employment Equity Act (Canada) and Statistics Canada. The language was also shaped through consultations with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, other Canadian post-secondary institutions, and internal EDIA working groups at the Polytech. The five equity-deserving groups are: 

Women:  A Woman refers to a person who internally identifies and/or publicly expresses themself as a woman. This may include cisgender and transgender individuals. Cisgender means that one’s gender identity matches one’s sex assigned at birth. Transgender means one’s gender identity differs from one’s sex assigned at birth. 

Indigenous Peoples:  An Indigenous person refers to individuals who identify as First Nations (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis. The term “Indigenous” is widely used and preferred in Canada. It reflects the distinct cultures, identities, and rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Where appropriate, individuals may choose to identify with their specific Nation, community, or Band. 

Persons with disabilities:  A person with a disability includes someone who has a significant, recurring or long-term physical, intellectual or learning disability, a sensory challenge, chronic illness and/or a mental health issue which may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This also may include persons who, due to a disability, have been currently accommodated in the workplace or college life. For more information, visit the  Manitoba Human Rights Commission. 

Racialized Persons:  A Racialized person in Canada is someone (other than an Indigenous Person) who self-identifies as a Person of colour or non-white, regardless of birthplace or citizenship (sometimes referred to as “visible minority” or racialized person in Canada’s Employment Equity Act and by Statistics Canada). For more information, visit  Statistics Canada. 

Persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community:  A person of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is someone who identifies as Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning Intersex and additional sexual orientations and gender diverse identities. For more information on the terms, visit  CCDI’s Glossary of Terms. 

Yes, participation from all students helps provide a more complete picture of our community. Accurate representation data allows us to better understand who is and is not represented across the organization and supports more meaningful analysis and planning. For each question, you may choose to self-identify, indicate that you are not a member of that group, or select “I choose not to declare.” 

Yes. If you identify as being a member of more than one equity-deserving group, you should identify yourself under all of the equity-deserving groups that apply to you. 

Diversity language is an evolving field. How you identify is personal, and the choices provided in the self-identification form may not fit with how you see yourself as an individual. The terminology used in the student self-identification questions is consistent with what is used by the Employment Equity Act (Canada) and Statistics Canada. The language was also shaped through consultations with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, other Canadian post-secondary institutions, and internal equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) working groups at the Polytech.

As complex as it may be to group people in this manner, we cannot assess our EDIA progress without this data. It is important to note that we are asking you to consider whether you identify as part of these groups to help the Polytech understand the diversity of its students and employees.

We recognize that some people may be on a journey to discover their identity, and along the way, difficult emotions may arise. For each question, you may choose to self-identify, indicate that you are not a member of that group, or select “I choose not to declare.”

Supports are available within and outside of RRC Polytech for those on self-identification journeys. Don’t hesitate to reach out to or access the following resources:

• Mental Health Coordinator
• Healthy Minds Healthy College
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline
  1.855.242.3310 or online chat at hopeforwellness.ca
• Klinic Crisis Line (24/7)
  Phone: 204.786.8686 Toll free: 1.888.322.3019

A person with a disability includes someone who has a significant, recurring or long-term physical, intellectual or learning disability, a sensory impairment, chronic illness and/or a mental/emotional health issue which may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. Learn more ›

Yes. All persons with disabilities, including those who have been accommodated academically can identify as a person with a disability.

If you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact Student Accessibility Services at accessibility@rrc.ca. If you require ASL-English interpreter or transcribing services to provide access, please complete the booking form.

For the purpose of self-identification, persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are intended to represent individuals of diverse gender and sexual identities. 

Gender identity refers to one’s internal and psychological sense of themselves as female, male, both or neither. A person’s self-concept of their gender may be the same as or different from their sex at birth (male, female or intersex). A person may also define their gender identity as being more fluid than either male or female. In other words, their gender identity may encompass parts of masculinity, femininity and/or other non-traditional gender expressions. For more information on the terms, visit the  CCDI’s Glossary of Terms. 

Sexual orientation refers to how a person characterizes their emotional and sexual attraction to others. Some terms include asexual, bisexual, gay, heterosexual, lesbian, queer, and Two-Spirit. For more information on the terms, visit the  CCDI’s Glossary of Terms. 

No. The information you provide is stored securely and confidentially within our student information system. Self-identification is only presented in aggregate formats and is used to develop initiatives to develop programming that is beneficial to all individuals and to remove barriers faced by equity-deserving groups.

An Indigenous person born in Canada or is of Canadian descent who is First Nation (Status or Non-Status), Inuit, or Métis.

In accordance with the RRC Polytech admissions policies, by declaring Indigenous identity, you will be linked with the RRC Polytech School of Indigenous Education (SIE) staff who will provide support during every stage of your academic journey (including application, admission and transition to employment). In addition, it is important for students to self-identify so that we can better understand and support the diverse student populations here at RRC Polytech.

Proof of ancestry will NOT be required to complete the self-identification process.

However, documentation may be required to maintain eligibility for certain academic initiatives, programs, scholarships, awards or bursaries.

This data will be used to set goals, develop action plans, and report on our progress as we advance Commitment 2 of the strategic plan: Commit to Truth and Reconciliation. Pursue equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in everything we do. It will also be used to inform strategies for improving the work and learning experience for all employees and students.

Yes, we are committed to ensuring your information will be kept confidential. The data you provide will be stored in a secure and confidential system and will not be used for any purpose other than aggregate reporting and data-informed decision-making. Access to identifiable self-identification data is limited to a small number of authorized individuals who require access to support reporting and analysis. When reporting on this data, all analytics will be aggregated and stripped of identifying information. Data will be summarized in broad categories (ex., job categories, departments, academic programs, etc.), which will ensure the privacy of individuals.