Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Knowledge Network is British Columbia's public educational broadcaster, available on television throughout the province of British Columbia and on streaming platforms across Canada. We are committed to doing our part to advance truth and reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our activity. In 2021, we worked with an independent third party to conduct a comprehensive review of our equity, diversity and inclusion practices. As part of that process, we created a three-year action plan with goals tied to our core activities and specific actions to help us achieve them. Our EDIA Action Plan 2022-2025 Final Report highlights the results. New goals and actions building on the foundations put in place have been integrated into Knowledge Network's 2025-2028 Strategic Plan.

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Goals and Actions

Staffing & Organizational Culture

Goal: Reflect the diversity of British Columbians

In support of this goal, we began collecting diversity data for current and new staff; diversifying recruitment strategies; and diversifying Knowledge Network's staff composition. Knowledge Network currently employs 50 staff. In fiscal year 2022/23 we made 11 new hires.

Below is our employee composition in 2022/2023 vs 2021/2022 based on self-identification:

Employee Composition:

2022/2023

Racialized
23%
Indigenous
2%
Persons with disabilities
2%

Note: 16% of respondents selected Prefer not to answer, 14% did not respond.

2021/2022

Racialized
16%
Indigenous
2%
Persons with disabilities
2%

Goal: Embody a culture of inclusion

In support of this goal, we have reviewed and updated our HR policies and onboarding practices. All management and staff have participated in a range of workshops designed to support and advance cultural competencies, inclusive practices, and awareness towards dismantling of systemic discrimination and understanding the effects of unconscious bias. We recognize that this is ongoing work that requires commitment at both institutional and individual levels. A new slate of workshops will get underway in 2023/24.

  • Provided cultural-competency training for all staff.

  • Introduced best practices for onboarding and retention of employees.

Programming

Goal: Reflect and serve the diversity of British Columbians

In support of this goal, we have introduced new data tracking measures for commissioned and acquired programs produced by Indigenous and racialized BC and Canadian producers to inform our programming decisions and facilitate transparent reporting. We have adjusted our international acquisitions strategy to acquire content from a broader range of countries of origin in order to better reflect the diverse lives, interests and backgrounds of our viewers. We have also made changes to our on-air and online look (land acknowledgement, station IDs and promotional campaigns) in order to better reflect the diversity of people and communities from across the province. We have also introduced described video with plans to increase programming available annually.

Walking with Plants
Writing with Fire
  • Worked with a more diverse range of BC creators in order to ensure BC viewers see themselves reflected in our programming.

  • Acquired premium content from a broader range of countries of origin to better reflect the diverse interests of our viewers.

  • Introduced Described Video for viewers with visual impairments with plans to grow program inventory over the next 3-years.

Goal: Ensure equitable program commissioning practices

In 2021, we established 3-year reparations-based targets for commissioned projects from racialized and Indigenous BC production companies and introduced a dedicated IBPOC Documentary commissioning stream. Now in year two of this initiative, we are on track to meet our commissioning target of 25% of Knowledge Original documentary features and shorts from BC independent Indigenous production companies and 50% from BC independent racialized production companies.

2022/2023 Commissioned Documentaries

Total Projects
4
Projects with B.C. Indigenous Production Companies
1
Projects with B.C. Racialized Production Companies
2

2022/2023 Documentaries in Development

Total Projects
7
Projects with B.C. Indigenous Production Companies
2
Projects with B.C. Racialized Production Companies
4
  • Implemented a data collection process for BC production company ownership.

  • On track to meet reparation commissioning target of 50 per cent of Knowledge Original documentary features and shorts from BC independent racialized production companies.

  • On track to meet reparation commissioning target of 25 per cent of Knowledge Original documentary features and shorts from BC independent Indigenous production companies (total commissions, over three years).