MINTO – Terms of reference for a Town of Minto diversity, equity and inclusion committee (DEI) were approved by town council on Dec. 20.
Adoption of the terms was included as a recommendation in the town’s Nov. 28 Cultural Roundtable meeting minutes.
“We’ve been waiting to get to this point for some time. So we’re looking forward to launching this committee and recruiting membership in the new year,” economic and community development director Belinda Wick-Graham told council.
The document indicates the committee’s goal is to advise and assist staff, council and the citizens of Minto on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion, “ensuring that Minto lives up to its commitment to be a welcoming and inclusive rural community.”
A mandate included in the terms indicates the committee will provide support to staff in the creation and implementation of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan and provide a forum for consultation, feedback and discussion on matters of diversity, equity and inclusion in the municipality.
‘Grassroots’ committee
Wick-Graham told the Advertiser she hopes the establishment of the committee will bring further awareness “to why this work is important.”
The idea, she said, is “for this group of key people that are in that space to have input into how we’re doing things.
“So it’s not just our Cultural Roundtable group coming up with ideas to serve the different groups that are represented here, but it’s more even more grassroots on what we need to be doing and … putting education and training as a key thing, not just for this group, but for council, staff – opportunities for the community to be kind of educated on why this is important and things we can do to really ensure that we are welcoming and inclusive and giving people an opportunity to engage.”
Wick Graham noted national demographic trends are making it important for communities to be inclusive.
“Immigration is going to be really important moving forward,” she explained.
“And if we’re going to be successful as a community – and labour force is a challenge – if we’re going to be able to continue to grow and thrive, immigration is going to be a big part of that.
“So when people move here we want to make sure they feel welcomed and they’re included and engaged and feel like part of the community.”
Guiding principles of the DEI committee include:
- reflecting the diversity of equity-seeking groups within the town;
- development and promotion of a vision of inclusion;
- commitment to operating with effective, respectful and inclusive communication;
- sharing responsibility for including all voices;
- fostering collaboration and partnerships; and
- being responsive to the community’s needs.
The DEI committee, a sub-committee of the Cultural Roundtable, will consist of 10 to 15 members appointed by resolution of council.
The committee will include members of the public and one member of town council.
The terms note that “to the greatest extent possible,” members from the community will represent a broad range of under-served and equity seeking groups including:
- Indigenous peoples;
- LGBTQ2S+;
- new Canadians;
- persons living in poverty;
- persons with disabilities;
- racialized people;
- people of diverse ethnic or cultural origin;
- seniors;
- women; and
- youth.
The committee will also include three to five community members “working in allyship” and the director of economic and community development and the marketing and community development coordinator or designates will attend all meetings.
“If anyone has an interest in this, even if they don’t identify as one of the categories here, we do have (places for) three to five community members who are working in allyship,” Wick-Graham noted.
“So people that just support this kind of an effort.”
Members must be Minto residents, and/or individuals who work for organizations that provide services to Minto residents.
Wick-Graham explained the town will be putting out a call for interested volunteers to apply to serve on the committee in the new year.
Formation of committee focusing on diversity and inclusion has been in the works in Minto for some time.
The effort grew from a community solidarity march against hate and racism in response to a TikTok video posted from a Harriston residence in June of 2021. The video contained disturbing references to the murder of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario.
This past June, community members responded with donations and support after Pride Month decorations were vandalized and online threats of further damage were received by the local Pride committee.
Safety of members important
Wick-Graham told council the DEI committee members face a unique challenge.
“I think it’s important to state, and something that we didn’t recognize starting this, that the safety of each of the members of this committee is of utmost importance …. we don’t need to worry about that for any of our other committees, that the people on that committee will be safe,” she stated.
Wick-Graham explained that during a review of the terms the roundtable group learned that some individuals involved in similar committees in other communities had received threats.
“I think that was a bit of a wakening moment that we need to worry about that. And I just hope that the Minto community is bigger than that and we don’t have to worry about things like that,” Wick-Graham added.
“But sadly, things are happening in other communities that are working on this stuff. So I think it’s very important that we’re strong and we stand up against things that may come out, and we protect the people that are stepping up to fight against these issues.”
“I agree, Belinda. That’s extremely important and I’m hoping the same,” said Mayor Dave Turton.
“I think we have a very good community, a supportive community and once … everybody gets on board and figures out exactly what we’re trying to do here, I have faith that people will jump on and really support it.”
Education is key
“It’s going to challenge people,” Wick-Graham told the Advertiser.
“And that’s why I think it is, the education and training piece is going to be super important … not just for council, but for staff and the community as a whole. So I think that’s probably where a lot of the work will start,” she added.
A motion to receive the Cultural Roundtable Committee minutes for information and approve recommendations in the minutes was approved unanimously.
Note: This story has been updated to indicate all councillors voted in favour of the motion. A previous version incorrectly indicated that three councillors were opposed.
