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REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee <br />DATE OF MEETING: October 19, 2020 <br />SUBMITTED BY: Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, ex. 7079 <br />PREPARED BY: Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 7079 <br />Denise McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services, ex. 4657 <br />Justin Readman, General Manager, Development Services, ex. 7646 <br />WARD (S) INVOLVED: All <br />DATE OF REPORT:October 8, 2020 <br />REPORT NO.: CSD-20-004 <br />SUBJECT: Advancing the City’s Work on Equity, Anti-Racism, Indigenous <br />Initiatives& Social Justice Issues (eg. Homelessness) <br />__________________________________________________________________________________ <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />That the City advance its work on equity, anti-racism and Indigenous initiatives, as well as other <br />social justice issues(eg. homelessness),through the creationof a dedicated staff team, as <br />outlined in CSD-20-004, which will provide senior level leadershipandinternal staff expertise in <br />theseareas; and that the associated funding for that team be built into the 2021 budget. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Mayor’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) <br />In late 2019, the Mayor’s Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) was created to support the <br />achievement of the following priority in the City’s Strategic Plan – “Create a comprehensive Equity, <br />Diversity and Inclusion Strategy by 2020 to combat systemic barriers to full economic and social <br />participation in the city.” <br />The Task Force consists of approximately 30 members of the community, who are demographically <br />representative of the City’s overall population,and 15 City staff. Councillors Singh and Marsh, as well as <br />the Mayor are also on the Task Force. The mandate of the Task Force isfocused on four broad areas: <br />1) broadening community engagement in municipal decision-making – particularly for people who <br />are traditionally under-represented; <br />2) improving equitable municipal service deliveryto Kitchener’s diverse population; <br />3) encouraging, maintaining and promoting a more inclusive workplace and diverse workforceat <br />the City of Kitchener for both employees and volunteers, and; <br />4) celebrating the full diversityof the Kitchener community. <br />Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began the Task Force was paused, however, it has now resumed <br />and is targeting 2021 for completionof its work. <br />*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** <br />Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance. <br />3 - 1 <br />