Diversity Action Plan and Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Community Consultations
Throughout the Fall of 2021, residents, community leaders, Advisory Committees, community and service organizations, business owners and entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs and individuals who work in Markham from all backgrounds shared their feedback with us through a series of discovery meetings, consultations sessions and an online survey.
The City of Markham’s virtual public conversations were offered with keeping the intention of creating a safe space for dialogue.
- All participants were asked to attest to respectful communication and behaviour during the registration process.
- Safe space guidelines were provided at the beginning of consultation sessions.
- Trauma informed counselling was available during the consultation session and directly after the session in acknowledgement that these conversations are emotionally challenging.
- Additionally, some sessions were targeted to specific community members (sessions related to anti-Black racism and also to the 2SLGBTQ+ community).
The schedule below lists the sessions dates and titles.
Session 1 – Tuesday,
November 16
Black, African Diaspora and Caribbean Community Perspectives
Session 2 - Combined
with Session 10 on Wednesday December 1
Black, African Diaspora and Caribbean Economic Empowerment (business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners)
Session 3 – Monday,
November 22
Racialized, Indigenous and Racialized Immigrant Perspectives (session conducted in English, Farsi and Tamil)
Session 4 – Tuesday,
November 23
Chinese Community Perspectives - (session conducted in English, Cantonese & Mandarin)
Session 5 – Wednesday,
November 24
2SLGBTQ+ Community Perspectives
Session 6 – Thursday,
November 25
Seniors, Persons Living with Disabilities and Mental Health Perspectives
Session 7 – Friday,
November 26
Youth Perspectives (Age 15 – 29)
Session 8 – Monday,
November 29
Faith, Religious and Spiritual Perspectives
Session 9 – Tuesday,
November 30
Community Service Agencies, Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture
Session 10 –
Wednesday, December 1
Economic Empowerment Perspectives (business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners)
Session 11 – Thursday
December 2
Close Out Session - Sharing What We Have Learned from the Community Thurs. Dec. 2
Who reviewed the survey responses?
The survey responses were reviewed and analyzed by the City of Markham’s third-party partner – The Diversity Institute (Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University). Themes from the online survey and the public consultations will be incorporated into the updated Diversity Action Plan report and shared with the public.
Will I receive the results of the initial survey?
Themes from the online survey and the public consultations will be reviewed by the City of Markham’s third-party partner – The Diversity Institute (Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University) - and will be incorporated into the updated Diversity Action Plan report, which will be made available in the spring
Diversity Action Plan Progress
Diversity Action Plan 2010 to 2019 - Everyone Welcome
In 2010, the City launched its ten-year Diversity Action Plan
2010 to 2019 - Everyone Welcome as part of Building Markham's Future Together.
Most of the recommendations in the Diversity Action Plan 2010 to 2019 - Everyone Welcome are either complete, in active development or underway.
Diversity Action Plan Review — 2021
As part of the Diversity Action Plan update, the City listened to its communities' and stakeholders' needs and insights through extensive public consultation in the fall of 2021.
In 2021, we endorsed the Diversity Action Plan and the Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Action Plan. In the fall of 2021, the City of Markham began updating its Diversity Action Plan. We sought input from residents, community leaders, Advisory Committees, community and service organizations, business owners and entrepreneurs, and individuals working in Markham through discovery meetings, community consultations, and an online survey.
Diversity Action Plan Review 2022
On July 13, 2022, The City of Markham in partnership with Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute, officially launched Markham’s Diversity and Eliminating Anti-Black Racism Action Plans at Aaniin Community Centre.
In partnership with Ted Rogers School of Management’s Diversity Institute the City of Markham consulted with members of the public and with more than 200 community entities. It contains 68 recommendations to strengthen the City's commitment to diversity and inclusion and ensure everyone can live to their potential and have equitable access to spaces, services, programs and opportunities.
The updated Diversity Action Plan will provide the City with a framework, recommendations and actions that support policies, programs, services, spaces and decision-making that are inclusive, fair, accessible and equitable.
The updated Diversity Action Plan will focus on 2021 to 2031 and the needs of the City's communities and stakeholders.
Diversity Action Plan Update – 2023 - Current
The City understands the ongoing and critical need to ensure that inclusion, social cohesion, respectful dialogue as well as the ability to live life to one's potential free of discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes, racism and systemic racism is essential for the City to uphold and strengthen.
We are updating our action items and Diversity Strategic Plan to support fulfilling the Diversity Action Plan 2021 or 2022 recommendations.
As part of the Diversity Action Plan, the City will continue to undertake and influence change within our municipal jurisdiction and sphere of influence and proactively partner with other entities to help create sustained change.
Diversity Demographics, Statements and Progress Updates
- General Committee - March 21, 2022
Diversity Demographics
