Mayor Bevilacqua calls special meeting for Nov. 25 to advance anti-racism initiatives
Image
Public invited and empowered to help shape diversity and inclusion efforts
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has called an electronic-participation Special Committee of the Whole meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. to address issues of racism and to further advance and raise awareness about the City of Vaughan’s diversity, inclusion and anti-racism efforts. The virtual meeting will include a fulsome agenda with presentations by staff and stakeholders. The public and community groups are invited and encouraged to participate virtually. The meeting can be watched live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has called an electronic-participation Special Committee of the Whole meeting for Wednesday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. to address issues of racism and to further advance and raise awareness about the City of Vaughan’s diversity, inclusion and anti-racism efforts. The virtual meeting will include a fulsome agenda with presentations by staff and stakeholders. The public and community groups are invited and encouraged to participate virtually. The meeting can be watched live at vaughan.ca/LiveCouncil.
The Special Committee of the Whole meeting coincides with several initiatives currently underway, including Council’s decision to establish the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. This new working group has a mandate to guide the development of policies that promote fairness, mutual respect and inclusion. Public recruitment was recently completed for community representatives to serve alongside Members of Council. City staff will also take part.
On July 20, the recruitment efforts to select a successful candidate for the City’s new Diversity and Inclusion Officer position began. The role will influence the corporation's activities, provide strategic guidance and advise on policies, processes and procedures related to diversity. The Diversity and Inclusion Officer will also help facilitate a renewed mandate for the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer and attend meetings of the City’s Senior Leadership Team.
The ideas brought forward during the Nov. 25 Special Committee of the Whole meeting will help further inform the work undertaken by members of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and the Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
The City recognizes the importance of protecting citizens from the global COVID-19 pandemic while also moving the city forward. While City Hall remains closed to the public, public consultation remains a vital part of the planning and city-building process. There are many ways citizens can participate and have their voices heard during this virtual meeting, including:
- speaking live via teleconference to Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council during the meeting. To pre-register to be an electronic speaker, send a completed form (PDF) to clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281. Participants will be provided instructions on how to connect to the meeting. A test meeting will also be held before every electronic-participation meeting to allow participants to test their connection and software. Members of the public can connect through their own computer, smartphone or tablet.
- speaking live from a telephone (regular landline or cellphone) during the meeting. To pre-register to be a telephone speaker, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca or call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281.
- submitting a written communication for review by Members of Council as part of an agenda item. All written communications can be emailed to the Office of the City Clerk at clerks@vaughan.ca.
All speaker requests and written submissions must be received by noon on the last business day before each meeting. In addition, they must relate to a matter on the agenda, clearly state the request or message trying to be conveyed and include the name and contact information of the participant. The name and address for any citizens submitting a communication – written, electronic or by telephone – will appear in the public record and will be posted online following the meeting. For additional details about submitting a communication or being a live speaker, visit vaughan.ca/HaveYourSay.
Beyond these highlighted initiatives, the City continues to advance a comprehensive agenda with diversity and inclusion at the core of city-building. The City remains committed to working toward a shared vision that ensures Vaughan's community members are heard, appreciated and valued.
QUOTE
“The public is invited and encouraged to take part in this special meeting to continue to advance Vaughan’s anti-racism efforts. While we have achieved much already, we recognize there is still more work to be done, and we look forward to hearing from the engaged, compassionate and informative members of our community. This will be another important opportunity to have a fulsome discussion between Council and our citizens and raise further awareness about the City’s steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Everyone here is encouraged to reach their full potential, actively participate in civic life and be treated with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. We remain dedicated to doing our part to stand up and take meaningful action against injustice and inequality.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
LEARN MORE
- Read the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Terms of Reference (PDF).
- Visit vaughan.ca/CouncilMeetings for more information about upcoming meetings, including agendas.
-30-