The Canadian Coalition of MunicipalitiesThe Canadian Coalition of MunicipalitiesAgainst Racism and DiscriminationAgainst Racism and Discrimination

David A. WaldenSecretary-General

Cynthia LacasseProgramme Officer, Social and Human Sciences

Meeting of the Equity and Diversity Advisory CommitteeCity of Ottawa

15 March 2010

What is UNESCO?What is UNESCO?

United Nations Educational, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Scientific and Cultural Organization Organization

1 of 19 specialized agencies of the 1 of 19 specialized agencies of the United NationsUnited Nations

195 National Commissions195 National Commissions

Towards an International Towards an International Coalition of Cities Coalition of Cities

against Racismagainst Racism 2001: Third World Conference against 2001: Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, 2001)and Related Intolerance (Durban, 2001)

2003: UNESCO Integrated Strategy to 2003: UNESCO Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and IntoleranceXenophobia and Intolerance

2004 – 2008: Development of Regional 2004 – 2008: Development of Regional Coalitions of Cities against Racism and Coalitions of Cities against Racism and DiscriminationDiscrimination

2008: Launch of the International Coalition 2008: Launch of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discriminationof Cities against Racism and Discrimination

Ms. Melinda Munro, City Ms. Melinda Munro, City of Windsorof Windsor

European Coalition of European Coalition of Cities against RacismCities against Racism

Toulouse, France, 2009Toulouse, France, 2009

Meeting of the Meeting of the International Coalition of International Coalition of

Cities against RacismCities against RacismNuremberg, Germany, Nuremberg, Germany,

20092009

Why?Why? Mobilize municipalities in the struggle Mobilize municipalities in the struggle against racism and all forms of discrimination and against racism and all forms of discrimination and draw on existing expertisedraw on existing expertise

How?How? By offering a platform for discussion, By offering a platform for discussion, exchange and cooperation and mobilizing local, exchange and cooperation and mobilizing local, national and regional partners against racismnational and regional partners against racism

Result: Result: Stronger anti-discrimination policies; Stronger anti-discrimination policies; sharing of current good practices at the national sharing of current good practices at the national and international levels; access to a network of and international levels; access to a network of interested partners; « mise en commun » des interested partners; « mise en commun » des efforts vers un but commun.efforts vers un but commun.

Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination Launch/Discrimination Launch/

Lancement de la Coalition canadienne des Lancement de la Coalition canadienne des municipalités contre le racisme et la municipalités contre le racisme et la

discriminationdiscriminationCalgary, June 2007Calgary, June 2007

Canadian CoalitionCanadian Coalition

o Municipalities, not cities:Municipalities, not cities:

• Toronto – population 2,700,000Toronto – population 2,700,000

• Saint Justin – population 1,069Saint Justin – population 1,069

o Plan of Action adapted to Canadian realityPlan of Action adapted to Canadian reality

o Common: 10 Common CommitmentsCommon: 10 Common Commitments

o Variable: structure, length, prioritiesVariable: structure, length, priorities

10 Common Commitments 10 Common Commitments

The municipality:The municipality:

o A guardian of the public interestA guardian of the public interest

o An organization involved in the An organization involved in the fulfillment of human rights fulfillment of human rights

o A community that respects and promotesA community that respects and promotes human rights and diversity human rights and diversity

Developing Developing the Action Planthe Action Plan

o Partnerships among local authoritiesPartnerships among local authorities

o Community involvement, including policeCommunity involvement, including police

o Citizen engagementCitizen engagement

o Review of existing policies and programs at Review of existing policies and programs at the local level the local level

o Use existing resources to fill the gapsUse existing resources to fill the gaps

Implementing the Implementing the Action PlanAction Plan

o No « one size fits all »No « one size fits all »

o Each municipality adapts plan to its own realityEach municipality adapts plan to its own reality

o Time frame varies based on resources and prioritiesTime frame varies based on resources and priorities – no need to « implement » all 10 Common – no need to « implement » all 10 Common Commitments at once Commitments at once

o Sharing of existing programs and policies with Sharing of existing programs and policies with other municipalities as good practices and, in other municipalities as good practices and, in return, learning from other municipalities return, learning from other municipalities

Existing resources to support Existing resources to support Ottawa’s possible engagement Ottawa’s possible engagement

in CMARD – in CMARD – 10 Common Commitments10 Common Commitments

Ottawa’s Equity and Diversity PolicyOttawa’s Equity and Diversity Policy EmploymentEmployment

Community-Police Action Committee (COMPAC)Community-Police Action Committee (COMPAC) EDACEDAC

Consultation, partnerships, dialogueConsultation, partnerships, dialogue « Equity and Inclusion Lens - Community Snapshot »« Equity and Inclusion Lens - Community Snapshot »

Aboriginal People, people with disabilities, GLBT, Aboriginal People, people with disabilities, GLBT, visible minorities, immigrants, etc.visible minorities, immigrants, etc.

Why should a municipality join CMARD?

• Reiterate to citizens its commitment to creating more inclusive communities

• Make a public statement that racism is not welcome in your community

• Gain access to a unique network of partners at all levels (expertise, resources, etc.) and share resources to achieve common goals

• Share local good practices on a national and international scale (visibility) and learn from others

• Be part of an international network of like-minded municipalities working towards common goals

•

What does a municipality do once it joins CMARD?

* Develop and implement a Plan of Action against Racism

* Make the 10 Common Commitments and the municipality’s unique Plan of Action an integral part of the municipality’s vision, strategies and policies

* Cooperate with other organizations and jurisdictions including governments, institutions and civil society

* Report publicly on an annual basis on actions undertaken in implementing the Plan of Action

Ontario Human Rights Commission / Ontario Human Rights Commission / Canadian Race Relations Foundation Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Dialogue for CMARD Municipalities in Dialogue for CMARD Municipalities in Ontario, Toronto, January 2010Ontario, Toronto, January 2010

Chief Commissionner Chief Commissionner Barbara Hall, Barbara Hall,

ONHRC, and Ayman ONHRC, and Ayman Al-Yassini, director, Al-Yassini, director,

CRRFCRRF

•Rights Commissions in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan; the Canadian Race Relations Foundation; associations of municipalities in different provinces; and the National Association of Friendship Centres for Aboriginal peoples.

PartnersPartners

Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights AgenciesFederation of Canadian MunicipalitiesCanadian Race Relations FoundationNational Association of Friendship CentresProvincial associations of municipalities (Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec)Human Rights Commissions in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan

Important stakeholders:

Mayors, city councilors/aldermen, municipal equity committeesVarious divisions of the municipal administrations, including police authoritiesLocal organizations working with community groupsMunicipal administrators federal government ministries (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) Youth-led organizations and youth