Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee

Mandate

The mandate of the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee is to work towards the elimination of discrimination within the City of Ottawa.

Responsibilities

The Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:

  • providing a forum for members of minorities, women and ethnic groups to raise and address issues of concern;
  • providing advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, on matters pertaining to policies and practices, over which the City of Ottawa has direct control, on any discriminatory elements and suggesting necessary amendments;
  • conducting advocacy on behalf of racially and ethnically diverse groups, other minorities and women's issues;
  • cooperating with local bodies to ensure avoidance or elimination of discrimination in their policies and practices;
  • cooperating with and supporting other organizations, associations and bodies with similar aims and objectives, in order to develop a strong lobbying network;
  • encouraging the formation and development of, and collaboration between, minorities, women and ethnic groups, to better the needs of their own members;
  • encouraging on the neighbourhood level, formal and informal contact in order to promote a better understanding of different cultures;
  • working towards the elimination of discrimination within the City of Ottawa.

Organization

The Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall have a maximum citizen membership of between 9 - 15 residents of the City of Ottawa, who shall reflect the diversity and demographics of the City of Ottawa, including a minimum of one citizen appointment representing the rural community.

All appointments to the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall be approved by both the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee and Ottawa City Council.

In addition, the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall also have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

  • 1 Staff representative from the Human Resources Department (non-voting)

The process for choosing membership for the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments Policy.

The Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall have the ability to create sub-committees to address specific issues affecting visible minorities, ethnic groups, women, the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender communities or other minority groups, as required.

Lead Department / Reporting Relationship

The lead department for the Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall be the Community and Protective Services Department. The Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee shall report through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee to Ottawa City Council.

Workplans and Annual Reports

The Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee must report annually to City Council through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on the Committee's workplan for the following year.

Links

Advisory Committee Meetings, Agendas and Minutes
W3000887