Statement: Advancing a culture of empowerment and opportunity
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City of Vaughan adopts the Vaughan Inclusion Charter
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after Council endorsed and adopted the Vaughan Inclusion Charter in support of the Inclusion Charter for York Region:
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua issued the following statement after Council endorsed and adopted the Vaughan Inclusion Charter in support of the Inclusion Charter for York Region:
“The City of Vaughan is a welcoming and inclusive community where
diversity is celebrated every day in every way.
“We take great pride in
providing an exceptional quality of life, where everyone is encouraged to reach
their full potential, actively participate in civic life and be treated with
respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination.
“As part of the City of
Vaughan’s commitment to advancing a culture of co-operation, we are pleased to
endorse and adopt the Vaughan Inclusion Charter in support of the Inclusion
Charter for York Region, which is a community initiative to create a fair and
equal environment for all.
“Together, with other participating organizations, the City of
Vaughan is committed to taking action to achieve the vision of the Charter in
our organization and in the community. The Charter reflects an evolving
approach in support of existing federal and provincial legislations that
promote human rights and accessibility. By endorsing this Charter, we reaffirm
our commitment to fostering equality, inclusiveness, respect and acceptance for
everyone.
“Our residents come from
around the world. In
fact, nearly half of our population was born abroad, and 105 different
languages are spoken within our borders. Vaughan is a vibrant and multicultural
city with a deep respect and admiration for the many cultures, creeds and
faiths that thrive here.
“Inclusion is defined as
the idea that everyone — of every ability — should be able to use the same
facilities, take part in the same activities, and enjoy the same experiences.
“To ensure the safety and
well-being of all citizens, the City is committed to supporting and promoting
community events, arts, culture, heritage, sports and fire prevention
awareness.
“To mark International
Women’s Day in March 2019, the City of Vaughan became the first Canadian municipality
to sign the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity — a public commitment to
promote the values of diversity, equality and inclusion.
“The City of Vaughan has
many best practices currently in-place that contribute to our priority of
building Active, Safe and Diverse Communities. Accessibility features, such as
automatic door openers, universal and barrier-free washrooms, as well as
barrier-free counters, are available in our facilities. Access Vaughan offers front-line
translation services to residents seeking assistance — an example of our
commitment to Service Excellence. Residents can register for women’s only
and men’s only recreational programs — such as swimming — to accommodate
religious requirements.
“Our Heritage Month
Celebrations, such as Black History Month, Jewish Heritage Month, National
Indigenous History Month and Italian Heritage Month, are recognized annually to
acknowledge and appreciate the many social, cultural and economic contributions
of our diverse and thriving community.
“Our vision for 2020 is
clear — we will continue moving our city forward without leaving anyone behind.
To ensure we achieve this, Council will be appointing a Diversity and Citizen
Engagement Task Force this year.
“Today, we are reaffirming
our dedication to this important and meaningful cause. Together, we are creating a bright and
promising future for everyone.”
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