On March 21, we recognized the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a date established by the United Nations in 1966 to denounce South Africa’s apartheid regime and the tragic events that took place in 1960.
While progress has been made throughout the past several decades, racism and discrimination persist, locally in our city, across the country and globally. It is an important reminder for all of us to reflect on how our colonial history has influenced our systems and institutions, and what we can do to help eliminate racism as a system of oppression. The work of achieving racial equity belongs to all of us.
The City of Ottawa denounces all forms of racism. Through the City’s Anti-Racism Strategy, work is underway to integrate racial equity into all City operations, including policy development, decision-making, program evaluation and outcome measurements. We are committed to understanding and confronting systemic racism and ensuring the city is a place where everyone, inclusive of their ethnic or racial background, can access resources and opportunities to realize their full potential. All voices, perspectives and experiences are valued and appreciated.
Education is a key part of creating an anti-racist organization and city. It involves unlearning racist ideas, self-reflecting on our biases and taking the time to deepen our understanding of the experiences of Indigenous Peoples and people of African, Asian, Latin American, Arab, Muslim and Jewish descent.
Across the organization, leaders and staff at all levels are taking part in educational initiatives to learn more about how we can apply an anti-racism approach to our work. As Team Ottawa, we must all take ownership of our educational journey and translate this learning into action. By doing so, we build our individual and collective capacities to address racial inequities in both the workplace and the community.
Talking about racism and engaging in anti-racism work affects us all differently and can be challenging, especially for those who come to the conversation with lived experience. Please remember to keep kindness and compassion—for yourself and for others—at the forefront of your interactions.
