Canadian Ethnic Studies Association

Canadian Ethnic Studies Association
Name	Canadian Ethnic Studies Association
Abbreviation	CESA
Type	Non-profit association
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario
Region served	Canada
Fields	Ethnic studies, multiculturalism, migration studies
Established	1970s

Contents

Canadian Ethnic Studies Association is a scholarly association that brings together scholars, activists, and community leaders engaged with ethnic and race-related topics across Canada. The association fosters dialogue among researchers from universities such as University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, York University, and University of Alberta, while connecting to community organizations like United Nations Association in Canada, Canadian Race Relations Foundation, National Association of Friendship Centres, Chinese Canadian National Council, and Native Women’s Association of Canada. Its membership spans individuals affiliated with institutions including Simon Fraser University, Queen's University at Kingston, Université de Montréal, Carleton University, and Memorial University of Newfoundland.

History

The association emerged amid debates following events like the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, the rise of Canada’s multiculturalism policy, and the activism of groups such as Black Nova Scotians, Indigenous peoples in Canada, and diasporic communities from India, China, Philippines, Jamaica, and Nigeria. Early involvement included scholars associated with centers at University of Waterloo, Concordia University, McMaster University, University of Winnipeg, and Dalhousie University. The association’s growth paralleled national moments including the October Crisis, debates around the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and inquiries such as the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, intersecting with movements represented by organizations like Canadian Labour Congress, Ontario Human Rights Commission, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Assembly of First Nations, and Métis National Council.

The association articulates goals that resonate with reports such as the Macleod Report and frameworks adopted by bodies like Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. It emphasizes equitable representation in curricula promoted by universities like Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), Brock University, and Wilfrid Laurier University, and addresses policy debates involving institutions such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada. The mission foregrounds dialogue among stakeholders including Service Canada, Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Museum of History, and community partners like Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre and Toronto Black Theatre Festival.

Governance typically involves an executive drawn from faculty at institutions such as University of Saskatchewan, University of Victoria, University of Calgary, University of Manitoba, and Laurentian University. Committees collaborate with networks associated with Canadian Association of University Teachers, Canadian Political Science Association, Canadian Sociological Association, Law Society of Upper Canada, and provincial entities like BC Human Rights Tribunal and Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. Membership includes academics, graduate students, independent researchers, and community organizers connected to groups like Mennonite Central Committee, Jewish National Fund, Hindu Canadian Council, Islamic Relief Canada, and Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.

Annual and biennial conferences have been hosted at venues including Ottawa Convention Centre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Vancouver Convention Centre, Montreal Convention Centre, and campuses across provinces. Conferences feature panels with scholars associated with journals like the Canadian Journal of Sociology, Canadian Journal of Political Science, Journal of Canadian Studies, Canadian Ethnic Studies (journal), and presses such as University of Toronto Press, McGill-Queen's University Press, UBC Press, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, and Lorimer. Activities include roundtables with representatives from United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, workshops tied to initiatives like Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada), symposia involving Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and collaborative events with cultural festivals such as Caribana and Festival du Voyageur.

Research themes engage with migration histories tied to migrations from United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Greece as well as postwar movements from Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Lebanon, Somalia, Eritrea, and Syria. Studies address legal cases like R v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., policy debates influenced by the Immigration Act (1976), and social movements connected to organizations like Black Lives Matter Canada and Idle No More. Impact extends to curriculum changes at institutions such as OCAD University, influence on municipal policies in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Winnipeg, and contributions to reports produced by Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The association partners with academic networks including Association for Canadian Studies, American Ethnic Studies Association, European Association for Ethnic Studies, and community bodies like Canadian Council for Refugees, Refugee Council of Canada, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. Advocacy work engages with policy stakeholders such as Provincial Nominee Program, Canada Border Services Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, and cultural institutions like Royal Ontario Museum and Canadian War Museum. Collaborative outputs have influenced curricula at schools governed by boards such as the Toronto District School Board and Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien and have informed public inquiries like the Ontario Human Rights Commission Inquiry and municipal equity strategies in cities including Halifax, London (Ontario), Regina, and Saskatoon.

Category:Ethnic studies organizations