The annual Ontario Public Service (OPS) Breakfast presented by York University’s School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA) welcomed enthusiastic attendees on October 5, 2021. The event took on a hybrid form this year, hosting a number of faculty, students and alumni in-person at a downtown location and also virtually over Zoom. This format was able to accommodate as many attendees as possible who wanted to participate in the stimulating discussions on current challenges and future trends in public policy and administration.
This year’s guest speaker was Nosa Ero-Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister at Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate (ARD). During her keynote speech, titled Anti-Racism in Ontario: Strategy and Action, ADM Ero-Brown shared an overview of the ARD, anti-racism challenges, as well as best practices and strategies for organizations and individuals.
Ero-Brown works with partners across the Ontario Public Service, the broader public service and in communities to lead the government’s anti-racism initiatives to identify, address and prevent systemic racism in government policy, programs and services. She has over a decade of experience in promoting the values of equity, fairness and justice across government platforms.
Ero-Brown was introduced by Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Dean J.J. McMurtry, with special remarks by Professor Andrea Davis, Special Advisor on the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Anti-Black Racism Strategy.
Nosa Ero-Brown, Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) at Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate, was the guest speaker at the annual Ontario Public Service (OPS) Breakfast, presented by the School of Public Policy & Administration (SPPA)
Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA) members with ADM Nosa Ero-Brown 
ADM Nosa Ero-Brown at the centre with SPPA Director Prof. Alena Kimakova (left) and MPPAL Graduate Program Director, Prof. Naomi Couto (right)
SPPA students, faculty and guests were also given the opportunity to engage with Ero-Brown in a stimulating Q-and-A session, moderated by Andrea Davis and Naomi Couto, Graduate Program Director for the Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (MPPAL) program. This part of the event is always an invaluable opportunity to converse with policymakers and administrators who can provide an insider’s perspective on public policy.
The closing remarks were led by Professor Alena Kimakova, School of Public Policy and Administration Director. The Breakfast wrapped up with a professional networking opportunity for in-person and online participants to encourage faculty and students to broaden their network of contacts within and outside of the OPS. The event is an exciting opportunity to initiate discussions between academia and practitioners in an informal setting.