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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
What is EDI?
EDI-related work aims to break down barriers to ensure that everyone – regardless of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation and other diversity characteristics– is able to live, work and thrive in a safe and welcoming environment.
EDI work values diversity and celebrates what makes each person unique, while emphasizing the humanity we all have in common.
Coquitlam’s Commitment to EDI
As an organization, Coquitlam is on a journey to better serve our vibrant and diverse community by incorporating an EDI lens in all City business, including our policies and practices, the language we use, how we plan neighbourhoods, and how and what services we provide.
Coquitlam’s commitment to EDI includes:
- Building an inclusive and welcoming community and workplace.
- Seeking to address the inherent injustices and biases that hinder and harm some people while benefiting others.
- Advancing equity for all residents, and especially for groups that have historically been marginalized, such as Indigenous Peoples, racialized or LGBTQ2S+ groups. These groups are often described as “equity-deserving groups.”
Taking Action on EDI
EDI work requires intentional action to rethink and change how systems and policies function.
Starting in 2022, Coquitlam began incorporating EDI principles in the annual Business Plans that guide priorities, decision-making and all work across the organization.
See the tabs below for highlights of our work.
Coquitlam promotes EDI principles through education and outreach to create a culture both within the organization and in the community that is safe and welcoming to all.
City Organization
Examples of EDI work for 2023 include:
- Providing training and resources to staff regarding a variety of topics including: gender diversity, accessibility, ally-ship and cultural awareness
- Reviewing all recruitment and retention policies with an EDI-lens
- Reviewing all public-facing communications to further enhance a sense of belonging in the community Purposeful community engagement to inform EDI work across the City
- Read our statement: Hate Has No Place in Coquitlam
The City is reviewing how to reduce barriers within its staff recruitment and retention practices. Work currently underway includes:
- Reviewing human resources policies and guidelines and making changes to support current and future employee inclusion
- Updating recruitment webpages and promotional materials with the view to reducing barriers for equity-deserving groups
- Reviewing and updating job advertising and expanding job-promotion channels
- Enhancing relationships with local organizations and associations to partner on EDI initiatives
- Reviewing employee benefits from an EDI perspective
- Addressing any gaps in existing HR policies, such as the development of Trans Inclusion Guidelines or a Transition Policy
Removing Barriers for Council Candidates
Coquitlam was one of the first communities in B.C. to adopt leave procedures for Council members that aim to remove systemic and financial barriers for equity-deserving groups wishing to participate in public office.
The City provides Council members up to 16 weeks of paid leave (or the remainder of the term, whichever occurs first) for maternity and/or parental leave, or to provide compassionate care or caregiving support to someone considered to be family who is critically ill or needing end-of-life care.
The City also offers a pension benefit to Council members to further reduce potential financial barriers for those running for office. This benefit is calculated based on years of service at a rate guided by the Municipal Pension Plan. The start date for all Council members, including those re-elected, is the beginning of the next term.
Report to Council, June 13, 2022 – Reducing Barriers to Local Public Office Participation
Coquitlam takes great pride in the community’s diversity. As the community continues to grow and change, there is an opportunity to reassess how the City meets the needs of its diverse population.
In 2023 and beyond, the City will be providing residents with opportunities to share what EDI means to them, and how they would like to see it reflected in a purposeful way in the City’s work and services.
Watch for opportunities to have meaningful conversations about EDI with the City at community centres, local events and online throughout the year.
Inclusion is the intentional work and action to create a sense of belonging. Coquitlam is working to equip City staff with the knowledge and ability to champion inclusion and other EDI themes in their day-to-day work.
This work includes providing staff with knowledge, support and guidance on what EDI can look like in the various services offered to the community and internally to staff.
Delivering community facilities, infrastructure, neighbourhood plans and community recreation programs for people of all ages and abilities is at the forefront of the City’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility, and guides the City’s Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee.
This includes programs designed to reduce barriers to recreation, such as financial assistance for recreation, low and no-cost aquatics programs, and free menstrual products at City facilities.
Other examples include website accessibility, and resources that support those with mobility or ability challenges, such as the Snow Angels program, the City’s participation in the GoHere Washroom Access Program and parking requirements within the City’s Zoning bylaw to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Learn more about accessibility in City services.
Resources
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion – Glossary of Terms (PDF)
- Coquitlam Public Library – Truth and Reconciliation Reading List and Emotional Support Resources
- kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation – Information, Education, Programs and Services, and Resources
- Orange Shirt Society – Resources and Ideas
- Province of B.C.’s Anti-racism Frequently Asked Questions
- Resilience BC – Human Rights Documents
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Education
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Exhibits
Racism is the systemic form of oppression based on the social construct of race. Racism can be evident individually, institutionally, and structurally.
Anti-racism is an active effort to identify, challenge and eliminate all forms of racism, and the values, policies and behaviours that perpetuate it.
- Read the City’s statement condemning racism and hateful acts – Hate Has No Place in Coquitlam.
- Learn about the Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network, funded by the Province of B.C., that offers a province-wide approach to identifying and challenging racism.
- Read the Province of B.C.’s anti-racism frequently asked questions.
In spring 2022, the Coquitlam RCMP began collecting reports on hate-motivated incidents in response to the rise of cases motivated by hate based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
Reporting these behaviours – whether experienced or witnessed – is important for public safety. Condemning all forms of hate supports a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
How to Report a Hate Crime or Incident
- Report hate-motivated incidents at Report.RCMP.ca: Hate-motivated incidents are when a person is targeted by another person motivated by hate in a way that is not a criminal offence. Examples include hate-motivated correspondence, treating someone poorly, or hateful speech or insults based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
- Report hate crimes in person to Coquitlam RCMP or by calling 604-945-1550: Hate crimes are criminal offences that are motivated, or suspected to be motivated, by hate. Examples include physical assault or threat to a person based on race, gender or sexual orientation, vandalism to a home with anti-Semitic or hate graffiti, or damage to a place of worship.
- Report hate crimes in progress to 911.
- Report a hate crime anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting solvecrime.ca.
The Province of B.C. also provides information about hate crimes and reporting, with videos in a variety of languages.