New Tool Aims to Build Inclusive, Diverse Communities
Media Release
Advancing Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Municipalities offers tools, best practices, and case studies to support efforts to plan, create, and sustain positive change that values the strengths of Canada’s diverse populations.
Together with partners from municipalities, national organizations, and women's groups across Canada, the PEI Coalition for Women in Government and Town of Stratford today partnered with Ottawa's City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) to release a new national guide for city officials, managers, and staff.
"Cities have so much to gain from creating inclusive programs, policies, services, and opportunities that allow us to benefit from the contributions of groups who face barriers to services and employment. These groups include Abo¬riginal peoples, women, racialized people, people with disabilities, people living in poverty, youth, seniors, newcomers, and LGBTQ communities," explains Suzanne Doerge, Executive Director, CAWI.
"As an organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for women to be elected to all levels of government," says Dawn Wilson, Executive Director, "The PEI Coalition for Women in Government was pleased to partner with the Town of Stratford to advance equity and inclusion practices through the development this National Guide."
The workbook provides guidance to help municipalities:
- respond to the needs and aspirations of diverse populations
- recognize and engage the skills, experience, and knowledge of all residents
- address systemic barriers through policies, programs, and services
- attract, promote, and retain a talented workforce
- create relationships and work together to ensure collective impact
"The Town of Stratford continues to work toward a community where every person is respected and has the opportunity to reach their full potential," says Mayor David Dunphy. "I am proud that the Town of Stratford was invited to be a part of developing this National Guide."
Resources
Advancing Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Municipalities
Also available in French
Equity and Inclusion
More CAWI publications
Project partners:
Canadian Commission for UNESCO
City for All Women Initiative (Ottawa, ON)
City of Lethbridge, AB
City of Ottawa, ON
City of Toronto, ON
City of Vancouver, BC
CMARD Lethbridge (Lethbridge, AB)
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
PEI Coalition for Women in Government (PEI)
Toronto Women's City Alliance (Toronto, ON)
Town of Stratford, PEI
Springtide Resources (Toronto, ON)
Women Transforming Cities (Vancouver, BC)
More about CAWI:
cawi-ivtf.org | @CAWI_IVTF | facebook.com/cawi.ivtf
National media contact:
Nicole d'Entremont, Waterwood Communications
Tel: (613) 608-7668 | Email
Local media contacts:
Dawn Wilson, PEI Coalition for Women in Government
Wendy Watts, Town of Stratford
Tel: (902) 569-6921 | Email