[Image courtesy City of Oshawa]

Oshawa gets diversity and inclusion committee

Oshawa has launched its first Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, as a key deliverable of the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan. The committee hosted its inaugural virtual meeting on June 25.

Committee members were recruited earlier in 2020, and it comprises 15 community members from diverse backgrounds, representing a broad range of under-served and equity seeking groups. The inaugural members are Oshawa residents, or individuals who work for organizations that provide services to Oshawa residents and are committed individuals toward diversity, equity and inclusion matters in the community, said a city statement.

The inaugural committee members are:

  • Hubaib Amin
  • Nathan Barnett
  • Daniel Richard Crosmas
  • Uzma Danish
  • Jenna Dunn
  • Beverly Fiddler
  • Allison Hector-Alexander
  • Donald Igbokwe
  • Jalajah Jokarasa
  • Eleanor McIntosh
  • Michelle Neill
  • Cora Reid
  • Sandra K. Smith
  • Veronica Torres
  • Gary Wu

The goal of the Committee is to develop a community-driven model for supporting the implementation of the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan, approved in 2017.  Terms of Reference for the Committee were approved by City Council in 2019 and can be viewed online at www.oshawa.ca/diversity.

The committee will be supported by the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer, a position hired by the city in 2018.

Volunteer committee members agree to attend meetings, provide feedback, consultation and advice to city staff on the elimination of barriers within city programs, services and policies and on the creation of new programs or initiatives related to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our community, the statement said.

The committee is also expected to liaise and work with other community partners including the Oshawa Accessibility Committee and the Cultural Leadership Council in various initiatives to foster greater understanding and awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion matters.

The committee will select a chairperson in coming months.

The Diversity and Inclusion Plan was unanimously approved by Oshawa City Council in 2017 and reflects the city’s commitment to the goals of fairness, justice and non-discrimination.  The plan has over 90 actions in five Strategic Action Areas, which include Leadership, Community Engagement and Participation, Community Development, Human Resources and Education and Awareness.

For more information on the Diversity and Inclusion Plan and the Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, visit www.oshawa.ca/diversity.

“Oshawa’s first ever Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is an important step in the diversity and inclusion work of the city. This committee is made up of exactly the leaders we need to help guide us as we put our Diversity and Inclusion Plan into action eliminating systemic barriers in our city, workplace and the greater community so that everyone feels welcomed and involved,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.

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