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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-007-20Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: June 22, 2020 Report Number: CSD-007-20 Submitted By: George Acorn, Director of Community Services Reviewed By: Andrew C. Allison, CAO File Number: By-law Number: Resolution#: Report Subject: Diversity in Clarington – Update on Diversity Initiatives and Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee Recommendation: 1.That Report CSD-007-20 be received for information. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report CSD-007-20 1. Background 1.1 Clarington is a growing community. According to the 2016 Census, our population grew by 8.8% since 2011, above the Durham Region average of 6.2%. As with any growing community, diversity grows alongside the population. Individuals each possess unique characteristics including ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, amongst others. These differences help make our community vibrant. 1.2 While our immigrant population was well below the regional, provincial and national averages in 2016, the growth of infrastructure coming to Clarington like the 407, the GO Train expansion and addition of new industry/jobs will all contribute to an evolving, more diverse community. 1.3 In 2018, Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee (CDAC) was approved by Council. CDAC was meant to encourage community engagement, gain input from our residents and recognize the importance and value of embracing diversity to provide an inclusive community. 2. Diversity Initiatives Annual Update Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee 2.1 CDAC is a resident committee that acts as an advisory body for Council. Its mandate is to provide advice, comments and recommendations on issues affecting diversity in our community, to foster awareness, reduce barriers, promote inclusion and engage our residents. 2.2 Each member of CDAC is a volunteer, except for the Council representative and the staff member, the Community Development Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion, from the Community Services Department. 2.3 The Committee is structured with staggered terms to ensure continuity of the work. Four of the initial members are serving two-year terms that will expire December 31, 2020 and four are serving four-year terms expiring December 31, 2022. The Council representative’s term coincides with the term of Council. Members each bring their own Report Overview This Report provides an overview of the work of Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee as well as initiatives that staff are undertaking to support Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. The Committee has completed its first full year of operation. This Report provides highlights of the initiatives the Committee has accomplished and looks to the work the Committee has planned moving forward. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report CSD-007-20 lived experiences and community connections. They share their perspectives on issues and opportunities helping to promote diversity in Clarington. Strategic Planning 2.4 When CDAC first began meeting in 2018, members felt it would be beneficial to set goals and prepare for the work ahead. Staff facilitated a strategic planning session which resulted in mission and vision statements to complement the terms of reference: Vision Statement (Who we are) The Diversity Committee is an advisory body that serves as a liaison between the Municipal Council and residents of Clarington on matters of diversity and inclusion. The committee strives towards a safe, welcoming and inclusive Clarington, where differences are celebrated, and the voices of all peoples are heard. Mission Statement (What we do) The Diversity Committee engages Clarington residents to raise awareness by celebrating our community’s differences and strengths. The committee recommends policies and provides advice to the Municipality of Clarington on Diversity and Inclusion. 2.5 CDAC is working towards developing a workplan and have identified the following action items: INFORM: Recommend policies and provide advice to the Municipality of Clarington on Diversity and Inclusion. This will be accomplished by creating a Diversity Lens to evaluate issues; develop training and awareness programs for Council, staff and the community; collaborate where appropriate with local agencies. AWARENESS: Raise awareness by celebrating our community’s differences and strengths. Recognition of local and national celebrations, social media campaigns to raise the profile of CDAC in the community and working with local schools and groups to facilitate presentations on diversity information will all be undertaken. ENGAGE: Create a safe, welcoming and inclusive Clarington by finding out why people love living in Clarington and why they feel included / connected. Surveying our community to determine how best to engage our residents and collaborating with local agencies to share information about the Committee will all be tactics used to broadly engage residents and stakeholders. Land Acknowledgement Statement 2.6 As part of building awareness, in 2019, through Clarington’s CAO’s office, CDAC was asked to provide a recommendation on the use of a Land Acknowledgement Statement. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report CSD-007-20 2.7 A working group of Committee members was formed. Through consultation with Mr. Dave Mowat, then Consultation, Lands and Membership Supervisor with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, now Chief of Alderville First Nation, a draft Land Acknowledgement Statement was prepared and shared with Council for consideration. 2.8 CDAC recommended, through staff Report CSD-010-019, that Council adopt the use of a Land Acknowledgement Statement at the start of regular and special meetings of Council and its Standing Committees held in the Municipality of Clarington, at civic celebrations, and other official events that are hosted by the Municipality. This recommendation was approved on October 28, 2019 through resolution #GG-468-19. 2.9 Additionally, Council indicated that staff be directed to develop a training plan, in collaboration with the Diversity Advisory Committee and representatives of our local Indigenous community. This would provide Indigenous cultural awareness for Members of Council and staff. This plan is being developed and will be implemented with funds approved through the 2020 Municipal Budget. Community Diversity Survey 2.10 As part of Engaging with the community, CDAC launched a Community Diversity Survey to the residents of Clarington throughout the month of November 2019. The survey’s intent was to engage our residents to learn more about the make up of our community, find out what we are successful at and identify on issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. 2.11 The survey was available November 1 to November 30, 2019. It was available online and in paper form at municipal recreation facilities and Town Hall. There were 139 responses received with 60% of the respondents identifying as living in Bowmanville. Over 60% have lived in Clarington for over 10 years. Just over 50% felt that Clarington is a diverse community and almost 70% feel Clarington is an inclusive community. 2.12 Survey respondents shared their personal experiences around diversity and inclusion in Clarington. CDAC will continue to review the survey results to further inform their workplan and projects. Diversity Lens 2.13 The CDAC is working on developing a Diversity Lens that could be used by elected officials, municipal staff, committees, community partners and consultants. 2.14 A Diversity Lens helps you see things from a new or different perspective. It is a tool that creates awareness of diversity in the development of policies and programs with a goal of addressing systemic barriers and inequalities people face. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report CSD-007-20 2.15 Committee members have reviewed samples of Diversity Lens’ used in other municipalities and other agencies to determine best practices. This research is being used to develop a Clarington specific tool that will allow for the identification of possible options for improving various initiatives while respecting and promoting diversity and inclusion. Staff Initiatives to Support Diversity and Inclusion 2.16 In July of 2019, a Community Development Coordinator in the Community Services Department was assigned the portfolio of Diversity and Inclusion. This was done based on advice and research as to how to best support the CDAC and be successful in enhancing the Committee’s goals in the Corporation. 2.17 As a result, some great training has already taken place. Early in 2019, staff participated in a training on inclusive language for marketing; in September 2019, a training was held with Community Services Department staff where guest speakers of diverse backgrounds came in to tell their stories and answer any questions; trainings related to the LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Two Spirit) community were held with various staff teams, and corporately in November of 2019 a lunch and learn was held in Council Chambers to train on and discuss unconscious bias. The trainings were well received by all staff in attendance. 2.18 As part of the approved 2020 budget process, staff had requested funds to become a member of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI). As a result of that approved money, the Municipality, as of April 24, is an employee partner of the CCDI. This membership not only demonstrates the Municipality’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, but also provides staff access to a wealth of resources, training and learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge. 2.19 Since April 2020, staff have had access to participate in seven webinars. The topics included: Managing micro-aggressions Leveraging cultural differences at work The history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada Intersection of race, mental health and stigma in the age of COVID Exploring your Employer Partnership Allyship – Your role in supporting minorities Addressing exclusion and racism in the workplace and community Municipality of Clarington Page 6 Report CSD-007-20 3. Next Steps 3.1 Throughout 2020, CDAC will continue to provide advice, comments and recommendations on issues affecting diversity in our community, reduce barriers and promote inclusion. In keeping with their goal of informing, raising awareness and engaging with our community, the Committee will: Participate at various community events across Clarington; Collaborate with staff on a training plan for Council, staff and the community that addresses issues surrounding Diversity, specifically including Indigenous Cultural Awareness training; Participate and promote a diversity photo shoot in partnership with Clarington’s Tourism Advisory Committee to develop a collection of diverse photos, representative of our whole community, for use in promotional material by the Municipality and their Tourism Partners; Develop a social media plan to raise awareness about Clarington’s Diversity Advisory Committee and various cultures, holidays and observances; Collaborate with community agencies to raise awareness and celebrate our community’s diversity; and Look to celebrate existing diversity related events like Black History Month 4. Concurrence 4.1 Not Applicable. 5. Conclusion 5.1 It is respectfully recommended that the Report on the update of the activities of the Diversity Advisory Committee and staff be received for information. Staff Contact: Lee-Ann Reck, Manager, Client Services, 905-623-3379 ext. 2508 or lreck@clarington.net. Attachments: Not Applicable Interested Parties: There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.