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Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Creating a diverse and inclusive Peel

We’re committed to ensuring all residents are treated fairly and have access to programs and services.

We'll achieve this by:

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In the Community

Peel Region is one of the most diverse regions in Canada. We're committed to working with our residents to deliver programs and services that are not only inclusive and equitable, but also reflective of our communities.

The following content provides more detail about our efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Other information

Peel Region has developed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy, that focusses on:

  • Peel's workforce and community,
  • Identifying and addressing systemic barriers within the programs and services we offer to residents. (Systemic barriers are policies, practices, or procedures that result in some people getting unequal access or being excluded.)

With the help of KPMG LLP, a third-party vendor, we engaged with community members through in-person and virtual focus groups, consultations, surveys, and drop-in sessions.

On June 29, 2023, KPMG presented an overview of the DEI Strategy to the Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (DEAR) committee.

We will share the DEI Strategy and next steps with Peel Region's workforce and community members later in 2023. For more details about the Peel Region DEI Strategy, email us.

We've completed our second We all count! Workforce Census. This confidential survey focused on demographic data and employee feelings about diversity, equity, inclusion and health, safety, and wellness at Peel Region.

Building on the 2020 workforce census, results show diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) scores have increased across the organization and reported incidents of discrimination and harassment are lower than 2020. While results show signs of progress, many employees experience the organization differently depending on their diversity. View our organization infographic and a summary of our organizational census results.

We're removing barriers and improving access to our programs, services and facilities for people of all abilities.

Refer to Accessibility Planning at the Region of Peel.

As an accountable government and community leader, in August 2021, Peel Region released an anti-racism and systemic discrimination statement. The statement is as follows: 

The Region of Peel recognizes the impact of historical and ongoing racism and systemic discrimination in its communities. We are committed to learning, evolving, and owning the role we have played in preserving the systems that advantage some and disadvantage others. As a municipal leader and accountable government, we accept responsibility to expose and oppose racism and dismantle the institutional systems that perpetuate social inequities. To achieve Community for Life, we will enact sustainable change for our employees and residents through our policies and practices that demonstrate respect and dignity for all, enabling people in Peel to achieve their fullest life.

As an accountable government we are responsible for ensuring all residents benefit equally from public polices, programs and services.

As an organization we commit to learning, addressing, and eradicating systemic discrimination, past and present, that undermines the goal of equitable and accessible regional programs and services. 

We are on a journey. Acknowledging there is a crisis in Peel is a first step. There is still much more work that needs to be done and we are committed. 

In May 2021, Regional Council unanimously voted to further its commitment to combating racism by joining more than 500 businesses in signing the BlackNorth Initiative (BNI) Pledge. The BNI aims to end anti-Black systemic racism throughout all aspects of life, including systemic barriers across housing, education, justice, policing and in the corporate world, and create opportunities for under-represented groups.

BlackNorth recognizes that barriers persist in housing that have prevented Black residents from realizing the benefits of homeownership. To address these issues, BlackNorth has created the Homeownership Bridge Program. The Program is designed as a Shared Equity program and helps working Black families access homeownership opportunities that enables them to gain stability, self-reliance and build generational wealth.

BlackNorth administers the Homeownership Bridge Program and Peel Region provided a one-time grant of $2.5 million to support affordable housing for Black residents in Peel. Through this grant, 50 eligible Peel households will have the opportunity for home ownership. Visit BlackNorth to learn more about this program – how it works and how to apply.

DEAR advises Regional Council on systemic barriers and diversity issues in the community that relate to the Region's policies, programs and services.

DEAR advises Regional Council about systemic barriers and diversity issues in the community — both external and internal — that might impact Regional policies, programs, and services.

DEAR Committee members are volunteers.

Areas of focus include:

  • Anti-racism
  • Anti-Black racism
  • Equity
  • Inclusion
  • Approaches to training and accountability

As an organization, the Region of Peel is on a journey. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and respects differences and recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all. As part of our continued journey, we have:

  • Conducted two Workforce Census surveys which help us understand the diversity within our workforce and assist in data trending and strategic action planning.
  • Implemented a series of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Recommendations including, but not limited to a review of policies and practices related to recruitment, pay and promotion, mandatory DEI training for employees and resources to support our workplace culture journey.
  • Started the development of our DEI Strategy, which includes a community focus, informed by community consultations.

We're proud members of:

We formally recognize and respect the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and their territories. We're grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land, and by doing so, give our respect to its first inhabitants.

Read the Peel Region land acknowledgement.

Resources

Glossary

Systemic Barrier: Refers to policies, practices or procedures that result in some people receiving unequal access or being excluded from participation. This is also experienced as discrimination.

Anti-Black Racism: Anti-Black racism is prejudice, attitudes, beliefs, stereotyping and discrimination that is directed at people of African descent and is rooted in their unique history and experience of enslavement and its legacy.

Systemic Discrimination: Systemic discrimination can be described as patterns of behaviour, policies or practices that are part of the structures of an organization, and which create or perpetuate disadvantage for racialized persons.