Addressing anti-Black racism in the city

The City of Vaughan recognizes that anti-Black racism is perpetual, pervasive and systemic in Canada, and has created a strategy to challenge anti-Black racism in all its forms at the municipal level – the Reimagining Black Futures in Vaughan: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan 2024-2031.

This eight-year Council-approved action plan outlines the steps the City is taking to improve municipal programs, policies and procedures to address anti-Black racism, and ensure full and meaningful participation of the Black community in services, events and general city life.

The action plan was developed in collaboration with Black residents, leaders, community groups, organizations and businesses in the city. A survey and community consultations and workshops were facilitated with diverse Black communities, including seniors, youth, newcomers, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and business owners, to collect feedback and understand perspectives on anti-Black racism in the city, experiences with City events and services, communications, business development and other areas of focus. Their insights, perspectives and recommendations helped shape the objectives, key actions and accountability measures within the action plan, including the following efforts:

General Accountability

An accountability framework was designed to foster transparency, uphold responsibility and monitor progress. Key actions include updating the City’s feedback and complaints process, establishing a standing Advisory Committee on Addressing Anti-Black Racism, and creating annual reports to highlight the City’s progress and outcomes. 

Commitment to Continuous Engagement

City programs, services, initiatives and engagement frameworks will be designed in collaboration with diverse Black communities and the standing advisory committee.

Action Plan

The action plan was built with the following three objectives:

• Embed the perspectives of diverse Black communities in City initiatives, and promote the engagement of diverse Black communities in City initiatives and feedback mechanisms. 
• Encourage relationships with Black community organizations. 
• Identify and adapt City policies and procedures to reduce systemic and institutional barriers for diverse Black communities.

The action plan also outlines the following three pillars, with various themes and key actions:

• Service Excellence and Accountability: The City aims to provide services that are affordable, accessible and inclusive of the communities it serves. This includes recreational programs, municipal offerings, hiring and recruitment efforts, and resource allocations. 
• Active, Engaged and Inclusive Communities: The City recognizes the importance of developing events that celebrate Black history, culture and community, and empower the Black community to participate. This includes the planning of City-led events and initiatives, and within outreach, engagement and communication efforts. 
• Economic Prosperity and Job Creation: The City is committed to promoting economic prosperity and job creation, and supporting diverse Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses. 

Read the Reimagining Black Futures in Vaughan: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan 2024-2031 (PDF) to learn more about how the City is dismantling anti-Black racism and supporting diverse Black communities. 

QUOTE

“We recognize that anti-Black racism is a deeply ingrained systemic issue in Canada, and our city is not immune to it. To address it, the City of Vaughan created an eight-year strategy – called the Reimagining Black Futures in Vaughan: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan 2024-2031. This action plan outlines our pledge to maintain a continuous and meaningful dialogue with diverse Black communities about decision-making processes and institutional barriers, and ensure municipal programs, services and initiatives are inclusive. As part of the action plan, an accountability framework was established, which will foster transparency, uphold responsibility and monitor our progress. There is more work to do, and we are committed to doing it – the Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan is a part of that commitment. I am grateful to the diverse group of individuals who contributed their perspectives and insights during the plan’s development. Your feedback was critical to this process, and the document lays the groundwork to making our community more inclusive thanks to your participation.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca 

QUICK FACTS 

• The City’s Reimagining Black Futures in Vaughan: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan 2024-2031 was approved by Vaughan Council on April 22, 2024. 

• The action plan provides key actions for addressing anti-Black racism at the municipal level and supporting diverse Black communities that fall within the City’s jurisdiction.

• The action plan was built in collaboration with diverse Black communities in the city, the Special Advisory Committee and relevant stakeholders using online surveys, and in-person and online focus groups.

• The action plan contains three pillars with approximately 23 objectives, 58 key action items and accountability measures that align with the City’s 2022-2026 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

   

LEARN MORE 

• City of Vaughan’s­ Addressing anti-Black Racism webpage

• The City of Vaughan’s Reimagining Black Futures in Vaughan: Addressing Anti-Black Racism Action Plan 2024-2031 (PDF).

• The City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and multi-year action plan (PDF).