Equity, diversity, inclusivity, indigenization and accessibility at CCTG

Equity, diversity, inclusivity, indigenization and accessibility (EDIIA) are core values of the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan which articulates a vision for a future where a cancer diagnosis is no longer a burden on Canadians, their families, and society and where the results of our trials will identify cancer treatments that are effective, accessible, and affordable for all. 

CCTG recognizes that colonial and discriminatory practices and policies have resulted in the under representation of equity deserving populations in research and clinical trials. We acknowledge that more work must be done to advance health equity by making our trials more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all populations who may ultimately benefit from the results of our trials. We are actively taking steps to make our trials more accessible to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, women, individuals at both ends of the age spectrum, newcomers to Canada, rural and remote communities, and communities that don’t speak English or French. 

Below are highlights of our current EDIIA initiatives. This page will continue to be updated as we work to strengthen our commitment to EDIIA. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, you can connect with the EDIIA Team at ediia@ctg.queensu.ca. 

Action Plan

In 2021, CCTG developed an Action Plan to guide our commitment to EDIIA in our trials and network. The Action Plan focused on the following principles: EDIIA Strategy & Policy; Governance & Management; Operations and Statistics Centre Facility & Staff; Research Community & Network Users; and Research. 

Some key activities from our Action Plan included: 

• Hiring a designated EDIIA Lead 
• Developing an EDIIA Policy which support all aspects of our organization and research activities 
• Updating our Clinical Trial Generic Protocol, Informed Consent Form Template, Policies, and Standard Operating Procedures with an EDIIA lens
• Updating our data standards and dictionaries to align with Canadian and global populations 
• Integrating EDIIA into our scientific priorities and research activities 
• Providing EDIIA training and learning opportunities to our faculty, staff, and network 

Working Groups 

As part of our Action Plan and to work towards embedding EDIIA into CCTG’s research practices, we also launched three network-wide EDIIA Working Groups which included over 50 members from across the country who met approximately once a month to review best practices for incorporating EDIIA into the development of our research objectives and priorities, trial design, operations and conduct, and our network. Each Working Group developed its own Terms of Reference and had a mandate to develop a series of recommendations. There was at least one patient representative on each working group to ensure the patient voice was included in all recommendations. Moving forward, CCTG will use these recommendations as a guide to advance our commitment to EDIIA. 

Workshop 

During our 2024 Annual Spring Meeting of Participants, we hosted an EDIIA workshop where we focused on integrating EDIIA into a prostate trial and a head and neck trial. The workshop brought together the trial committees, CCTG senior investigators, central office staff, patient representatives, and cancer care and clinical trial EDIIA experts. It provided the opportunity to discuss strategies to improve the accessibility of the trials to underrepresented populations and to review the trial protocols with an EDIIA lens. We will continue to post updates as we make progress towards accomplishing our workshop recommendations. 

Resources

The resources below can assist with understanding the importance of EDIIA in cancer care and clinical trials and provide guidance on how to incorporate EDIIA into trial design and conduct.

• Canadian Cancer Society Report- Advancing Health Equity Through Cancer Information and Support Services 
• Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Centre of Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard - Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in Clinical Research
• Just Ask! Increasing Diversity in Cancer Clinical Research: An ACCC-ASCO Training Program
• U.S. FDA Clinical Trial Diversity 
• 3CTN Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Toolkit 
• 3CTN Improving Trial Access for Indigenous Peoples 
• Queering Cancer
• Ensuring Equitable Access to Cancer Care for Black Patients

Land Acknowledgement

As a national co-operative group, CCTG recognizes the Indigenous lands both nationally and globally where our clinical trials and research activities occur. Our central office, located at the Operations and Statistics Centre at Queen’s University, is situated on traditional Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee territory.  We acknowledge and honour the Indigenous peoples who have been stewards of the lands and waters for centuries and who continue to call these lands home. We are grateful to live, work, and learn on these lands. 

CCTG is committed to designing and conducting clinical trials that are culturally safe and accessible for all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. 

To learn and reflect on the territories, treaties, and communities where you reside visit Whose Land.