The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination David A. Walden

1. The Canadian Coalition of Municipalities AgainstRacism 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

2. What is UNESCO? • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization • 1 of 19 specializedagencies of the United Nations • 195 National Commissions

3. Towards an International Coalition of CitiesagainstRacism • 2001: Third World ConferenceagainstRacism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and RelatedIntolerance (Durban, 2001) • 2003: UNESCO IntegratedStrategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance • 2004 – 2008: Development of Regional Coalitions of CitiesagainstRacism and Discrimination • 2008: Launch of the International Coalition of CitiesagainstRacism and Discrimination

4. Ms. Melinda Munro, City of WindsorEuropean Coalition of CitiesagainstRacismToulouse, France, 2009 Meeting of the International Coalition of CitiesagainstRacismNuremberg, Germany, 2009

6. Why?Mobilizemunicipalities in the struggle againstracism 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 regionalpartnersagainstracism • Result: Stronger anti-discrimination policies; sharing of current good practices at the national and international levels; access to a network of interestedpartners; « mise en commun » des efforts vers un but commun.

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

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

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

11. Developing the Action Plan • Partnershipsamong local authorities • Communityinvolvement, including police • Citizen engagement • Review of existingpolicies and programs at the local level • Use existingresources to fill the gaps

12. Implementing the Action Plan • No « one size fits all » • Eachmunicipalityadapts plan to itsown reality • Time frame varies based on resources and priorities – no need to « implement » all 10 CommonCommitmentsat once • Sharing of existing programs and policieswithothermunicipalities as good practices and, in return, learningfromothermunicipalities

13. Existingresources to support Ottawa’s possible engagement in CMARD – 10 Common Commitments • Ottawa’sEquity and Diversity Policy • Employment • Community-Police Action Committee (COMPAC) • EDAC • Consultation, partnerships, dialogue • « Equity and Inclusion Lens - Community Snapshot » • Aboriginal People, people withdisabilities, GLBT, visible minorities, immigrants, etc.

14. Why should a municipality join CMARD? • Reiterate to citizensitscommitment to creating more inclusive communities • Make a public statementthatracismis not welcome in yourcommunity • Gain access to a unique network of partnersat alllevels (expertise, resources, etc.) and shareresources to achievecommon goals • Share local good practices on a national and international scale (visibility) and learnfromothers • Be part of an international network of like-mindedmunicipalitiesworkingtowardscommon goals

15. 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

16. Ontario HumanRights 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

17. 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