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Dufferin County Council sets up new committee focusing on diversity & inclusion

July 24, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Paula Brown

Dufferin County council passed a motion during their meeting last Thursday (July 9) that will establish a committee for diversity and inclusion in the Dufferin community. 

A request for a committee to focus on diversity and inclusion was first introduced by Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson during her presentation on anti-black racism at county council on June 11.  County council passed a motion at the meeting to support the request. 

“The broad vision is to develop and foster a collaborative environment that reduces barriers and disparity outcomes for minorities and marginalized communities in our area when it comes to education, health, access, and injustices,” said Ms. O’Hara-Stephenson. “The values outlined are respect, dignity, diversity, integrity, education and all critical things that we need to be able to continue to thrive as a community.”

A report from Sonya Pritchard, Chief Administrative Officer, recommended a Diversity and Inclusion Equity Community Advisory Committee (DEICAC) be set up. The committee will assist council on moving initiatives forward that make changes to policies, programs and services by identifying and eliminating systemic barriers for marginalized groups.

“It is important to highlight that diversity and inclusion is difficult. It requires acknowledging past mistakes, biases, and blind spots,” wrote Ms. Pritchard in the report. “It involves uncomfortable conversations and the willingness for leaders to show vulnerability.” 

Members of the committee will consist of a chair, between eight and 10 community members, council members, two members from the Staff Diversity and Inclusion Committee and support staff. Community members will be selected through an application and interview process. Terms of reference for the committee said that the committee “must be diverse and have membership from marginalized community members.” 

Shelburne Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson, Mono Mayor Laura Ryan and Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown will all serve as council members for the committee.

Coun. Anderson also proposed during the meeting to arrange for anti-black racism, diversity and inclusion training for staff and council members. 

“This motion is giving us the opportunity as leaders to listen and to learn and hopefully allow us to do our job better and to lead by example,” said Coun. Anderson. “I would only hope we’re able to get the support and get the training that I believe is certainly important especially in times like these.” 

During the last county council meeting (June 25) Amaranth Mayor Bob Currie was removed from his position as chair of the public works committee following comments he made regarding the LGBTQ+ community. 

Grand Valley Mayor Steve Solomon was nominated and subsequently declared the Chair of Infrastructure and Environmental Services Committee for the remainder of 2020.

“It is an honour to be one of the chairs,” said Coun. Solomon following his appointment to the position. “I’d like to just tell council ‘you deserve and will receive my best efforts’.”

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