Durham Region continues to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion

Whitby, Ontario – It is important that the Region of Durham is a place where diversity is embraced and each one of us is valued and included. Creating a strong sense of belonging helps us harness everyone’s potential to drive leadership, co-operation, innovation and service excellence.   

Throughout 2022, Durham Region advanced diversity and inclusion efforts by building on past achievements and launching new initiatives. Work centered around four commitments the Region has identified as areas of focus:

1. Improve our understanding of diversity and deepen the Region’s commitment to inclusion.
2. Strengthen equity and inclusion within our organizational culture.
3. Engage staff in equity and inclusion efforts, and foster opportunities for leadership, advancement and employee development.
4. Identify and address barriers to inclusion in the delivery of Regional programs and services.

The Durham Region Strategic Plan 2020 to 2024 places community vitality at the forefront. This involves helping to foster an exceptional quality of life; with services that contribute to strong neighbourhoods, vibrant and diverse communities, and improve our sense of safety and well-being. It includes building a healthy, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Key advancements include:

• Anti-Black Racism Pillar Report: Released in 2020, this report identified recommendations to address lived experiences as well as corporate and community concerns related to anti-Black racism, equity and inclusion. The Region has undertaken initiatives under each of the three key strategic areas, including developing a mandatory Anti-Black Racism eLearning module for staff; launching a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Glossary of Terms to promote person-first inclusive language; beginning an Equity Audit to identify barriers embedded within employment policies/practices and organizational culture; and including "experiences of racism" as a priority risk factor within the Region's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan to ensure deliberate and intentional planning to address anti-Black racism.
• Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce: As part of Durham Region’s commitment to fostering healthy and vibrant local communities, the Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce advises the Region on anti-racism practices and processes. Established in 2021, the Taskforce identifies systemic issues related to anti-racism and equity; reviews the impact of equity-related policies, programs and decisions; and collaborates with local service providers and institutions. The contributions of the first DRART cohort have been invaluable to the Region’s anti-racism efforts and have laid a solid foundation for new members to build upon in 2023.

• Internal activities: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion staff working groups continued their work to build a more inclusive workplace by making recommendations for Indigenous advocacy, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ and Black history priority areas.
  • An employee census was conducted, and the results will inform the design of policies and programs at the Region.
  • A “Let’s Talk” education series informed employees about bystander intervention, anti-Black racism, invisible disabilities, creating 2SLGBTQI+ affirming spaces, Indigenous histories and restorative justice.
  • An Indigenous display was installed at Regional Headquarters to encourage inclusivity and create a sense of belonging for Indigenous peoples in the region.
  • In the fall, the Region partnered with Abilities Centre and participated in a LEAD (Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery) Canada evaluation, which assessed current competencies and identified opportunities to improve and enhance inclusion and accessibility at the Region.
• External activities: Durham Region partnered with community organizations, local libraries and education institutions to support consultations that will inform the development of a Black Community Hub, and to recognize Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Pride Month, Emancipation Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Community workshops offered residents the opportunity to engage in discussions on anti-Black racism, Indigenous cultural safety and restorative justice.
  • A land acknowledgement educational video was created to provide guidance on how to respectfully acknowledge ancestral lands and Indigenous communities.
  • A commemorative orange crosswalk and accompanying plaque were installed at Regional Headquarters to honour the children taken, families left behind and survivors of Canada's residential school system.
  • The “Durham Is Our Home” awareness campaign was launched to celebrate Durham’s newcomer residents and encourage everyone to play a positive role in building a welcoming and inclusive community.
  • With Council’s direction and approval, the Region worked with local organizations and service providers to provide support to Ukrainian newcomers by providing temporary accommodations and wraparound supports to Ukrainians without housing plans.
  • The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) Community Safety and Well-being Symposium was held virtually on June 10, 2022. The event focused on the combined responsibility of all sectors in addressing the escalation of gun violence and crime severity across the GTHA.

In 2023, the Region will continue its work in advancing equity and building community, with many of these initiatives being expanded upon over the next year.

Quotes

“Throughout 2022, Durham Region prioritized inclusion not just within the organization, but across the community. The partnerships and community-building that took place were a strong step toward the region we aspire to be—a place where everyone is welcomed, and our individual differences are celebrated.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“The work of the DEI sub-committees and the Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce have laid the foundational frameworks for anti-racism and inclusion strategies across the Region. We will continue to build and implement these strategies to foster an exceptional quality of life for everyone that lives, works and enjoys the region.”

- Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer

“Our team connected with staff and the community in new ways that allowed us to strengthen the trust and respect required to build a strong and welcoming region for everyone. We have improved our understanding and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; strengthened diversity and inclusion within our organizational culture and engaged with staff in equity and inclusion efforts. We recognize that there is still more work to do, and we plan to continue building upon what we accomplished in 2022 to create stronger relationships, understanding and inclusion across the region.

- Allison Hector-Alexander, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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