Excellence in workplace diversity and inclusion
The City of
Vaughan is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace and
community – and these efforts are being noticed! Recently, the City won a 2022
Canadian HR Award in the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion category, which
was celebrated at today’s Council meeting with a ceremonial presentation.
The annual Canadian HR Awards were presented by HRD Canada and Canadian HR Reporter at a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. The awards recognize teams, leaders and employers for achievements in the HR profession.
The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion award recognizes an organization that has diversity and inclusion at the heart of its business.
As an equal opportunity employer and forward-thinking municipality, the City champions an environment of inclusion, accessibility, equity, integrity, learning and mutual respect through human resources policies, practices and procedures. One of these priorities is the development of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and Multi-Year Action Plan (PDF), led by Vaughan’s first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Zincia Francis.
This plan outlines the City’s commitment to strengthening corporate diversity and inclusion efforts. It also aims to identify and address systemic discrimination and inequities in access to services, community participation and civic engagement. Some examples include removing workplace barriers, offering fair access to services and programs, and working with equity-seeking groups.
The City has been focusing on addressing inequity, oppression, and exclusion through the actioning of DEI strategic plans and the development of committees and groups to support equity-deserving groups such as women, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and the 2SLGBTQIIA groups. For example, the Addressing Anti-Black Racism Community Consultation and Action Plan Project commenced this month. In addition, the City is working on the elimination of religious intolerance, including ant-Semitism and Islamophobia.
The City also enacted a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, with a mandate to guide the development of City policies that promote fairness, mutual respect and inclusion. This task force played a critical role in shaping the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy and action plan by making recommendations to improve the delivery of equitable programs and services that reflect the diverse needs of residents and the diversity in municipal hiring and tendering practices.
These are only a few examples of the work the City has undertaken to advance diversity in the organization and create a more inclusive community. Learn more at vaughan.ca/DEI.
Being presented with the 2022 Canadian HR Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion reflects the innovative and leading best-practices the City employs to foster a dynamic and welcoming workplace. It also further validates the efforts being undertaken to advance diversity and inclusion in the city.
The City also received recognition as an Excellence Awardee Finalist in two other categories – Best HR Communication Strategy and Canadian HR Team of the Year.
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