Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Niagara Region aims to be welcoming and inclusive, valuing diversity and equity. We strive to advance equity and remove barriers to build inclusive communities and workplaces.

In 2023, we started a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan. The plan includes 43 steps to make Niagara more welcoming and free from discrimination.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan 2023-2027
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan: Executive Summary / Diversité, équité at inclusion plan d'action 2023-2027: Sommaire exécutif
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan: Framework

Guiding principles

• Accountability

  Niagara Region is committed to achieving the goals set out in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan and holding staff at all levels accountable for the multiple initiatives.

• Collaboration

  Niagara Region is committed to working with the local area municipalities, community organizations and community members to achieve the desired outcomes of this plan. The collaboration of all diverse groups is essential for the success of this work.

• Community expertise

  Niagara Region recognizes that people with different lived experiences are the experts in understanding the barriers they experience, have creative solutions, and are essential partners for achieving the desired outcomes of this plan.

• Evidence informed

  Niagara Region is committed to using evidence from other municipalities, academic sources, best practice guides and community expertise to inform all work associated with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan.

• Humility

  Cultural humility is the cornerstone of this work, to achieve true equity and inclusion. We must all be willing to humbly accept that we do not have all the answers. Niagara Region commits to:
  

  • Life-long learning
  • Critical self-reflection
  • Challenging power imbalances
  • Developing mutually beneficial partnerships
  • Maintaining institutional consistency and accountability
• Transparency

  Niagara Region commits to providing transparent, clear and accurate reports on the progress of this action plan on a regular basis.

Focus areas

• A: Inclusive workplace culture, leadership and accountability

  Enable an organization where leaders are accountable and provide an environment where staff and community members feel heard and respected

  Internal goal: Increase per cent of Niagara Region staff who report that they feel heard, respected and valued by their managers by five per cent

  External goal: Increase per cent of community members that feel they are reflected and heard by locally elected officials by 20 per cent

• B: Increased understanding and humility through learning

  Provide knowledge, skills and learning opportunities for staff, councillors, volunteers and community members to increase their ability to understand and use diversity, equity and inclusion principles, and demonstrate cultural humility

  Internal goal: Increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of staff, councillors and volunteers to be equipped to support the diverse population of Niagara by 10 per cent

  External goal: Increase the knowledge, skills and competencies of training participants in the community on diversity, equity and inclusion, and cultural humility by 10 per cent

• C: Diverse workforce reflective of Niagara's community

  Use evidence-informed best practices to recruit, hire, retain and promote a more diverse workforce

  Internal goal: Use a variety of inclusive strategies to hire, retain and promote the workforce of Niagara Region to reflect the region's diverse population based on the Canadian Census

  External goal: Increase percentage of people that believe employers in Niagara do a good job of attracting, retaining and promoting people of diverse backgrounds to leadership positions by 20 per cent

• D: Programs and services meet the needs of everyone

  Provide evidence-informed best practices and resources to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion principles into Niagara Region programs and services

  Internal goal: One hundred per cent of Niagara Region divisions have incorporated diversity, equity and inclusion principles into their work

  External goal: At least 70 per cent of program participants believe that Niagara Region programs and services are meeting their needs

• E: Addressing discrimination

  Review and revise policies and processes, in partnership with diverse communities, to address and reduce discrimination experienced in Niagara

  Internal goal: Increase the diversity, equity and inclusion score for Niagara Region employees by five per cent

  External goal: Decrease the per cent of people that experience discrimination in Niagara by 20 per cent

• F: Inclusive communication

  Provide clear, inclusive, representative communication for staff and community members to showcase significant dates, provide key information and recognize leaders that advance diversity, equity and inclusion

  Internal goal: Ninety per cent of Niagara Region staff feel represented and included in diversity, equity and inclusion-related communications and initiatives

  Internal goal: Eighty per cent of Niagara Region's communication platforms are inclusive and accessible for all community members