Push for direct input on equity programs goes to regional council

Regional council now has an action list of recommendations aimed to improve supports available for equity groups, after receiving the latest report by the region's Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group on Wednesday night.

The recommendations aim to boost communication between regional government and everyday people to address issues of reconciliation, diversity and equitable treatment from local agencies.

Maedith Radlein, who is a co-convener of the group, said there's a need for more engagement with community groups and activists. Up to now, the working group has been the principal information conduit.

"We for example have a neighbourhood group that requests that we be available to them should they need to or want to have conversations about systemic issues they may be involved in. We also heard from groups such as Land Back and people in the encampments that felt that we [regional staff] should be more visible."

She said she hopes they have helped the region understand that equity is not preformative.

"We had the COVID vaccine distribution that taught us a lot of things about our community. It highlighted the disparities. It highlighted the lack of communication between public health and the communities."

Long time coming

Regional chair Karen Redman said the recommendation to directly interact with the public is a complicated ask — but also a long time coming.

"We've set aside money, $15-million, to make sure access to services and funding from the region are as barrier-free as possible for Black and Indigenous and racialized communities."

She said the Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group has helped lower barriers in the community.

"We put some funding into training people from specific groups, like Indigenous, Black and racialized people, to train and set up home-based childcare businesses that would be overseen by the region, so they could start businesses and have culturally appropriate childcare for children from those groups."

Redman said anti-racism work will continue even after the makeup of regional council drastically changes following the Oct. 24 municipal election.

"There is an investment and demonstration that equity, diversity and inclusion is a core focus for how we make decisions at the region," she said, adding that there are permanent roles dedicated to making sure concerns from equity-deserving groups are heard.