The University of Toronto is situated in the largest city in Canada and is one of its largest employers. The city itself is recognised as one of the most multicultural in the world and the safest city in North America for its metropolitan size. As the intellectual, cultural and economic center of Canada, it offers intimate access to decision makers in all areas and at all levels. It is an exciting, vibrant city that provides all of the amenities of other large North American cities, set in a clean and safe environment. The University maintains many ties with the local community and is recognised as a leader for employment policy and equity initiatives.

At the University of Toronto, creating a diverse and equitable workplace is one of the key principles of its leaders. In his remarks to the Governing Council upon his appointment as President, David Naylor stated that “universities are magical places of innovation and imagination, criticism and creativity, dreams and discoveries” and that in addition to excellent faculty and students, and talented staff “we are situated in two diverse and dynamic cities in the finest province [which] acts as a magnet for talent and affords myriad opportunities for international outreach.” This commitment to excellence, equity and outreach are not simply empty rhetoric; but are part of a much larger commitment to equity by the University throughout its recent history and onwards, into the future goals that it sets.

In its most recent academic framework, this commitment to equity as a means to enrich the University and local community is re-affirmed. It recognises changing migration patterns, the large and diverse population that results, and the impact on teaching, learning and research. In its Mission the University of Toronto affirms its commitment to being an “internationally significant research university, with undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of excellent quality.”