Oshawa announces first diversity, equity and inclusion committee
The City of Oshawa has launched its first ever Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee as a key deliverable of the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan. The committee hosted its inaugural virtual meeting on June 25, 2020.
Recruitment for the committee began in early 2020, and is comprised of 15 community members from diverse backgrounds, representing a broad range of under-served and equity seeking groups.
The inaugural members are Oshawa residents, or individuals who work for organizations that provide services to Oshawa residents and are committed individuals toward diversity, equity and inclusion matters in the community.
The inaugural committee members are Hubaib Amin, Nathan Barnett, Daniel Richard Crosmas, Uzma Danish, Jenna Dunn, Beverly Fiddler, Allison Hector-Alexander, Donald Igbokwe, Jalajah Jokarasa, Eleanor McIntosh, Michelle Neill, Cora Reid, Sandra K. Smith, Veronica Torres, and Gary Wu.
The goal of the committee is to develop a community-driven model for supporting the implementation of the city’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan, approved in 2017. Terms of reference for the committee were approved by city council in 2019 and can be viewed online at www.oshawa.ca/diversity.
The committee will be supported by Oshawa’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer, a position hired by the city in 2018.
Volunteer committee members agree to attend meetings, provide feedback, consultation and advice to city staff on the elimination of barriers within programs, services and policies, and on the creation of new programs or initiatives related to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the community.
The committee is also expected to liaise and work with other community partners, including the Oshawa Accessibility Committee and the Cultural Leadership Council in various initiatives to foster greater understanding and awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion matters.
The committee will be selecting a chairperson in the coming months.
For more information on the Diversity and Inclusion Plan and the Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, visit www.oshawa.ca/diversity.