Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

The Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL) is driven by a fundamental commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles.

Recognizing the lack of diversity in genomic research, the PCGL will address these gaps with the overarching goal to advance diversity and ensure that the benefits of genomics are shared equitably across Canada’s diverse communities.

The PCGL supports equity, diversity and inclusion by capturing the Canadian genomic “variome” to truly represent the richness of the genomic diversity of people living in Canada, and in all its diversity by promoting the inclusion of detailed information on key identity characteristics, such as sex, gender, and other intersecting identity factors, that shape health.

Why EDI in Genomics Matters

The underrepresentation of diverse populations in genomic studies has significant implications:

Bias in healthcare: Worldwide, up to 86% of genomic research participants are of European ancestry. This imbalance risks perpetuating biased healthcare solutions and diagnostic errors for underrepresented groups.
Barriers to participation: Individuals from diverse backgrounds often face challenges to participate in genomic research due to a variety of systemic barriers.

Missed opportunities: Diversity in datasets leads to more robust discoveries, ensuring that all Canadians benefit from advances in precision medicine and genomics.

Our Approach

The PCGL EDI Working Group (WG3) plays a pivotal role in implementing EDI principles throughout the platform’s initiatives. In collaboration with impacted groups across Canada, the working group focuses on:

Barriers and facilitators: Conducting surveys and interviews to determine challenges faced by marginalized groups and researchers in participating in genomic studies.
Monitoring and assessing diversity: Developing automated tools to measure and visualize diversity within PCGL datasets, ensuring alignment with Canada’s demographics.
Building consensus on data standards: Creating guidance documents to define minimal EDI metrics for future genomic research, ensuring the inclusion of key identity factors like sex, gender, race and ethnicity
Developing best practices: Synthesizing insights into actionable recommendations to improve EDI in both prospective and retrospective studies.
Promoting knowledge translation: Sharing resources through video capsules, e-learning modules, and events like the “Advancing Equity in Genetics and Genomics in Canada” symposium.

EDI Action Plan

The PCGL’s EDI Action Plan was informed by findings from a narrative review of EDI-related institutional documentation in Canada. Covering the period from 2025 to 2028, the Action Plan outlines the PCGL’s commitment to embedding EDI principles throughout its community, tools, and processes. It also identifies key priorities, activities, and deliverables that will guide the organization’s efforts to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion over the next three years.

Get Involved

The success of our mission depends on collaboration and shared responsibility. Whether you’re a researcher, community member, health care professional or policymaker, we invite you to join us in building a more equitable genomic future.

Participate in our surveys and consultations: Share your experiences and perspectives to shape our initiatives.
Attend our events: Join us at workshops, training sessions, symposiums.
Provide feedback: Help us improve by sharing your insights and suggestions.