The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination David A. Walden Secretary-General Cynthia Lacasse Programme Officer, Social and Human Sciences Meeting of the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee City of Ottawa 15 March 2010

What is UNESCO?  United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization  1 of 19 specialized agencies of the United Nations  195 National Commissions

Towards an International Coalition of Cities against Racism 2001: Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, 2001) 2001: Third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, 2001) 2003: UNESCO Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance 2003: UNESCO Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance 2004 – 2008: Development of Regional Coalitions of Cities against Racism and Discrimination 2004 – 2008: Development of Regional Coalitions of Cities against Racism and Discrimination 2008: Launch of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination 2008: Launch of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism and Discrimination

Ms. Melinda Munro, City of Windsor European Coalition of Cities against Racism Toulouse, France, 2009 Meeting of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism Nuremberg, Germany, 2009

Why? Mobilize municipalities in the struggle against racism and all forms of discrimination and draw on existing expertise Why? Mobilize municipalities in the struggle against racism and all forms of discrimination and draw on existing expertise How? By offering a platform for discussion, exchange and cooperation and mobilizing local, national and regional partners against racism How? By offering a platform for discussion, exchange and cooperation and mobilizing local, national and regional partners against racism Result: Stronger anti-discrimination policies; sharing of current good practices at the national and international levels; access to a network of interested partners; « mise en commun » des efforts vers un but commun. Result: Stronger anti-discrimination policies; sharing of current good practices at the national and international levels; access to a network of interested partners; « mise en commun » des efforts vers un but commun.

Coalition of Municipalities against Racism and Discrimination Launch/ Lancement de la Coalition canadienne des municipalités contre le racisme et la discrimination Calgary, June 2007

Canadian Coalition o Municipalities, not cities: Toronto – population 2,700,000 Toronto – population 2,700,000 Saint Justin – population 1,069 Saint Justin – population 1,069 o Plan of Action adapted to Canadian reality o Common: 10 Common Commitments o Variable: structure, length, priorities

10 Common Commitments The municipality: o A guardian of the public interest o An organization involved in the fulfillment of human rights o A community that respects and promotes human rights and diversity

Developing the Action Plan o Partnerships among local authorities o Community involvement, including police o Citizen engagement o Review of existing policies and programs at the local level o Use existing resources to fill the gaps

Implementing the Action Plan o No « one size fits all » o Each municipality adapts plan to its own reality o Time frame varies based on resources and priorities – no need to « implement » all 10 Common Commitments at once o Sharing of existing programs and policies with other municipalities as good practices and, in return, learning from other municipalities

Existing resources to support Ottawa’s possible engagement in CMARD – 10 Common Commitments Ottawa’s Equity and Diversity Policy Ottawa’s Equity and Diversity Policy Employment Employment Community-Police Action Committee (COMPAC) Community-Police Action Committee (COMPAC) EDAC EDAC Consultation, partnerships, dialogue Consultation, partnerships, dialogue « Equity and Inclusion Lens - Community Snapshot » « Equity and Inclusion Lens - Community Snapshot » Aboriginal People, people with disabilities, GLBT, visible minorities, immigrants, etc. Aboriginal People, people with disabilities, GLBT, 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 / Canadian Race Relations Foundation Dialogue for CMARD Municipalities in Ontario, Toronto, January 2010 Chief Commissionner Barbara Hall, ONHRC, and Ayman Al-Yassini, director, CRRF

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.Partners Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies Federation of Canadian Municipalities Canadian Race Relations Foundation National Association of Friendship Centres Provincial associations of municipalities (Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec) Human Rights Commissions in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan Important stakeholders: Mayors, city councilors/aldermen, municipal equity committees Various divisions of the municipal administrations, including police authorities Local organizations working with community groups Municipal administrators federal government ministries (Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) Youth-led organizations and youth