City of Markham and MIIPOC Reduce Employment Barriers Through New Partnership

Markham, ON – October 31, 2023 –The City of Markham and The Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous, Black and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC), are partnering together to enhance inclusion and reduce participation barriers for individuals from racialized communities, aspiring to gain experience in the field of planning.

This initiative represents a significant step toward fostering diversity and providing equal opportunities in the field of planning.

Two internships, each four-months long, will allow successful candidates to work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner with City staff. This experience will allow them to establish their networks, build relationships, and gain valuable on-the-job experience.

Successful candidates will be supported by a dedicated mentor. They will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of work including: development reviews, design principles, site planning, economic development and culture, and more.

“The City of Markham is committed to diversity and inclusion efforts both in the community, and within our own workforce,” says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “As one of Canada’s most diverse cities, we strive to remove employment barriers for racialized individuals by providing unique opportunities to them. Our partnership with MIIPOC reflects our commitment to attracting diverse talent so that we can continue building an inclusive city, and one that we are all proud to call home.”

“The City of Markham would like to thank The Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous, Black and Planners of Colour for their collaboration and partnership aimed at diversifying representation in the professional planning profession, says Andy Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Markham.

“MIIPOC is excited to be partnering with the City of Markham to augment its mentorship program and respond to a key barrier faced by racialized emerging planners,” says The Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous, Black and Planners of Colour. “Providing internship opportunities to racialized planning students and emerging planners will provide them with a strong foundation to establish their career as well as contribute their unique perspectives and experiences to complex problems facing our communities and the planning profession.”

To qualify for an internship opportunity, applicants must be either a current member or past graduate of the MIIPOC program. To learn more about the opportunity and to apply, contact miipoctoronto@gmail.com.

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti’s Office:
At mayorscarpitti@markham.ca.

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
media@markham.ca

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 353,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy. 

About The Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous, Black and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC): MIIPOC is an organization established to address the under-representation of Black and Indigenous people of colour (BIPOC) in the urban and community planning fields, and the city building industry as a whole. Founded by a dedicated group of planners, aspiring, planners, and city builders who recognize the significance of diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive cities, the organization leverages its interdisciplinary and inter-organizational network to promote and support the professional growth of BIPOC individuals in planning. MIIPOC’s commitment doesn’t waiver as the industry becomes increasingly diverse; they will persist in creating nurturing, professional environments, where individuals from various cultural backgrounds, feel safe, valued, and embraced.

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