Working Group on Racial Equity: First Spectator Editorial

RESPONSE TO TERMS OF REFERENCE

Focus on Anti-Racism as the First Priority

Issue: Anti-racism as the first priority of the Access and Equity Office as directed by the Mayor is not reflected anywhere in the draft Terms of Reference.

Recommendation: That anti-racism as the first priority be acknowledged and addressed throughout the terms of reference for the Office.

Scope

Issue: The draft terms of reference do not indicate the scope of the Office.

Recommendation: That dates be set for the creation and operationalization of a permanent city-wide Office and that a critical path be developed to make that happen. These should be reflected in the terms of reference.

Coordinator

Issue: Job requirements and roles for the Access and Equity Coordinator are unclear.

Issue: Existing human resources policies and practices at the city have produced very low representativeness in staff composition.

Recommendations:

It is important that the Access and Equity Coordinator be hired under a targeted search process as endorsed by sections 13 and of Human Rights Code program to address issues of anti-racism as the first priority.

That the anti-racism job requirements be fully developed in conjunction with the Working Group on Racial Equity and form part of the terms of reference. These may include:

That the Coordinator be assigned a facilitator's role in the process

That the Coordinator not be responsible for delivering training.

The Coordinator should be in charge of identifying training needs, creating a training program, perhaps even designing the training that will be delivered by appropriate trainers selected by him or her.

That the Coordinator be encouraged and supported by the City to do research and impact analyses of city funding, political decisions and responses to racism in the public sphere in Hamilton and elsewhere.

Staff

Issue: Staff roles are not clearly defined in the draft terms of reference

Issue: Although an Access and Equity Support Committee is mentioned, there is no indication as to its composition.

Recommendations:

That senior managers be identified as bearing the performance responsibility for producing change and best practices in their departments.

The Access and Equity Committee should consist of senior managers and should report to the Committee Against Racism through the Coordinator. It should also include senior managers with line responsibilities for producing change in city agencies and senior representatives from boards, commission and public services.

The Access and Equity Committee update the Coordinator on initiatives, progress and stumbling blocks and use the committee to plan and strategize on the implementation of change. Its role should also include supporting the Coordinator and being accountable to th Committee Against Racism and the Office for change in the city.

Community Linkages

Issue: Links with the approved Committee Against Racism at city hall are not specified in the draft terms of reference

Recommendations:

That the Committee Against Racism be the key reporting mechanism in guiding the Office and the Coordinator and holding the city management accountable for change.

The Office should support the work of the Committee Against Racism which should have strong representation from anti-racist activists and organizational change specialists of colour.

That the Office also embark on community outreach and act as a feedback loop to the Committee Against Racism and the city through the support committee on developments in the community.

Outcomes

Issue: Outcomes and goals of Access and Equity Office are not clearly identified in the terms of reference

Recommendations:

That the work relating to anti-racism as the first priority of the Office be phased over three years with clear outcomes and results identified as measures of success

That a process for producing public report card on the city's efforts on eliminating racism as the first priority be created through an open community consultation process.

Programs

Issue: Community needs assessment process that would lead to the creation of targeted programs is not outlined

Issue: Programs to be offered by Access and Equity Office not clearly identified

Recommendations:

That traditionally excluded communities have a direct say and voice in the determination of their needs and priorities

That resulting community programs be managed and controlled solely by communities that are directly affected issues of racism and discrimination

That the programs produce measurable and tangible benefits for these communities.

Respose to Draft Terms of Reference for Access and Equity Office