Markham Launches Updated Diversity Action Plan And New Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Plan

Markham.ca
July 15, 2022

The City of Markham today announced the release of its updated Diversity Action Plan (2022 to 2027) and a new Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Plan (2022 to 2027). The two plans outline ongoing actions that will guide the City in its journey to equity, and will enable Markham to be a more socially-cohesive and inclusive community.

The City partnered with the Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute and created the two plans based on feedback collected from several community consultations that were conducted City-wide in the Fall of 2021.

“As Canada’s most diverse community, we have accomplished so much together,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “There’s more to do and the City of Markham is actively creating impactful ways to elevate the voices of our community. The updated Diversity Action Plan and Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Plan are the results of collaborative team work between our partner, Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute, our community members and Markham staff. The plans affirm our commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and tackling Anti-Black racism.”

The City is dedicated to fighting against all forms of hate and inequities. As such, the plans inform the development of new policies, services, programs and spaces that are inclusive and accessible to all Markham residents.

“A focus on diversity shows the dedication of the administrators and citizens of the City to continue Markham’s vibrancy, success and innovation,” said Markham CAO Andy Taylor. “The City formally introduced an update of our Diversity Action Plan which is embedded in the City’s strategic plan called Building Markham’s Future Together. Everyone in Markham should always have a sense of belonging to live their best lives free from barriers of racism, discrimination and access.”

The updated Diversity Action Plan is a community-oriented strategy that addresses diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism and anti-discrimination in all City efforts. The Plan is evergreen and adaptable and reflects the experiences and needs of Markham’s diverse communities. The plan includes themes and recommended actions and opens the door for ongoing community conversations and transparency so everyone can feel comfortable and included.

The Diversity Action Plan supports and reinforces the Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Plan, which was endorsed by Markham City Council, and is based on feedback from Markham’s Black communities. The plan helps ensure members from Markham’s Black, African, African-Canadian, African-Caribbean and Caribbean communities always feel welcome and safe.

The Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Plan is anchored in a set of overarching pillars (4) that mirror Building Markham’s Future Together strategy themes (9), and throughout the Plan, a set of goals (22), key performance indicators (22) and actions (19), which will help support Markham’s Black community.

“Based on local, national and global events exposing racism and community angst, now is the best time to update Markham’s Diversity Action Plan,” said Dr. Mary Anne Chambers, Special Advisor on Anti-Black Racism. “An Anti-Black Racism Plan is exactly what the Black community needs and expects to achieve meaningful results for change. The City has been focused on an Anti-Black Racism Plan since 2020, so the formal release of the new plan is a wonderful, positive achievement to bring everyone together.”

“Extensive research has shown that historical and systemic discrimination, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, and many forms of bias, along with lack of social capital has built complex and embedded barriers for equity-deserving groups to education, jobs and training, support services and programs,” said Wendy Cukier, founder of the Diversity Institute, which provided research support and best practices recommendations for the City of Markham’s Diversity Action Plan. “Research also shows that inclusive environments improve workplaces, communities and the economy. The City of Markham’s Diversity Action Plan embeds a diversity lens into everything that the city does and is a great tool for building a more inclusive and accessible city.”

During the community consultations, participants indicated the most important values for the community include: acceptance, accessibility, accountability, cohesion, diversity, empathy, equity, fairness, harmony, inclusion, multiculturalism, transparency, representation and respect.

This information informed a need for enhanced focus on a number of communities, including persons living with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ and gender minority communities, Indigenous and religious faith communities.