Durham council looking at next steps to combat systemic racism

By Courtney Bachar/The Oshawa Express/LJI Reporter

Durham Regional Council is looking at moving forward with the next steps in combating systemic racism in the region.

Council is voting today on whether or not to establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) division at the region, including the establishment of an Anti-Racism Task Force, to address systemic racism.

“Over the past year, our community has been clear. Black residents and business owners experience racism here in Durham Region,” says Durham CAO Elaine Baxter-Trahair, noting the region has heard many stories from residents who have shared their personal experiences.

“From black children being treated differently by teachers, school administrators and their peers, to hate speech being directed at black business owners, the stories underscore that anti-black racism needs to be a priority focus for the region as a government.”

The motion in front of council today also looks for pre-budget approval for three new positions, identified through the 2021 budget planning process, to create the DEI division. The positions include a director of diversity, equity and inclusion, policy advisor, and policy/program coordinator.

“The division would establish a community-based anti-racism task force, with an initial focus on anti-black racism, and it would help coordinate the region’s inter-departmental efforts to address systemic racism and promote community development.

Baxter-Trahair says internally, the composition of regional employees “does not reflect the diversity in the community” and that diversity continues to grow every year.

According to data collected for 2018 to 2021, 16 per cent of region staff self-identify as visible minorities, compared to 27 per cent of Durham’s population who self-identify, which represents a 10 per cent increase over 2016. Eight per cent of Durham residents in 2016 self-identified as black.

“Our work is ongoing. We have further committed to the development and implementation of anti-racism framework to ensure we have a healthy workplace, and to address racism within the communities we serve,” says Baxter-Trahair.

The new DEI division would include the establishment of an Anti-Racism Task Force as a Committee of Council, the coordination of existing regional initiatives pertaining to diversity, equity, inclusion and community development, the continuation of an internal staff working group on anti-black racism, and the delivery of cultural competency training for all regional staff and council.

Furthermore, the DEI vision would include the coordination of regional speakers’ series and community conversations, working with community stakeholders to develop and deliver mutually beneficial strategies and solutions; the coordination with local municipality DEI officers to create a harmonized strategy for addressing inequalities throughout Durham; and the undertaking of an updated staff survey in 2021.

To better understand the experiences from the community, the region hosted an anti-black racism town hall in August, which saw more than 7,000 attendees to the live session, with an additional 3,500 visitors to Your Voice Durham, Durham’s online portal. Together, there were 148 questions and comments submitted during the live and an additional 55 stories shared through Your Voice Durham and email.

Baxter-Trahair says residents and businesses have been calling upon the region to “do more” for the past several years.

Regional Chair John Henry says the region is committed to addressing anti-black racism in the community.

“Your voice is important, because black lives matter,” says Henry in a recent statement. “We need to address social injustice. We need to stand for equality. We need to ensure a better tomorrow for residents who call Durham Region home. That’s why we are united with our black community members, in solidarity to demand and create change.”

Henry says the community as a whole needs to accept others “for who they are – rather than defining people by their beliefs, culture, identify, language, or the colour of their skin.”

“No form of racism is acceptable in Durham Region,” Henry continues, noting there is still more to be done.

“I understand that words are not enough. We will stand together to ensure our policies and programs are built on equity and opportunity,” he says. “Fighting anti-black racism is not going to be easy or comfortable. But it needs to be addressed, and it needs to happen now.”