The full adoption by an individual or group of the culture, values and patterns of a different social, religious, linguistic or national group, resulting in the elimination of attitudinal and behavioural affiliations from the original cultural group.  Can be voluntary or forced.

The state of mind which makes us act in certain ways about social events or objects; a consistent pattern of thoughts, beliefs, emotions and reactions.

An overt or covert obstacle; used in employment equity to mean a systemic obstacle to equal employment opportunities or outcomes; an obstacle which must be overcome for equality to be possible.

A subjective opinion, preference, prejudice or inclination, formed without reasonable justification, that influences an individual's or group's ability to evaluate a particular situation objectively or accurately; a preference for or against. Reasonable apprehension of bias exists when there is a reasonable belief that an individual or group will pre-judge a matter and therefore cannot assess a matter fairly because of bias.

One stubbornly or intolerantly devoted to one's biased opinions and prejudices.

The ability to utilize two languages with equal fluency; an official policy of Canada, with two official languages - English and French.

People of African descent and those who define themselves as such.

A workplace requirement that is directly related to a person's ability to perform a specific job.

The act of implementing a policy or program designed to suppress, either in whole or in part, the production of or access to information, sources, literature, the performing arts, letters, documents or ideologies which are considered unacceptable or dangerous for political, moral or religious reasons.

The cultural, institutional and individual set of practices and beliefs that assign value to people according to their socio-economic status, thereby resulting in differential treatment.

Usually refers to the period of European colonization from Columbus (1492) onwards, in the Americas, Asia and Africa, and taking on different forms from settler colonies like Canada to non-settler colonies such as India during British rule. Colonialism differs also across colonizing nations and across time. For example, French colonialism had different policies from British, while modern colonialism is often seen as part of "globalization", which includes the exploitation of labour and national resources by transnational corporations and the expansion of free trade agreements and blocs.

Primarily an informal communications process aimed at getting the parties to establish meaningful dialogue, combat rumours and suggest cooperative ways of solving conflict.  The goal of conciliation and/or mediation (see below) is to settle racial or ethnical disputes peacefully and outside the courts.

Men, women and children with good reason to fear persecution in their home country because of their race, religion, gender, nationality, political viewpoint, or membership in a particular social group. Their lives are in danger. If they are lucky enough to escape from their home country, they cannot return to it in safety until the situation changes. Refugees do not leave because they want to, but because they must.

A professed system and confession of faith, including both beliefs and observances or worship. A belief in a god or gods or a single supreme being or deity is not a requisite.

Members of a group having the same beliefs, behavioural norms, values, language, ways of thinking about and viewing the world.