Municipality striving for inclusivity
Committee to tackle outdated language, housing for immigrants, women’s rights
SYDNEY — New members have been added to the CBRM'S revamped diversity committee.
Several years ago the Cape Breton Regional Municipality council decided to bring back the diversity committee that had been in place years before. Andrea Hawley was approached at that time by then District 11 councillor Kendra Coombes asking her to become involved.
Hawley has been chair since and now is eager to meet the new members of the diversity committee when they get together later this month.
"The first thing we'll do once we're back to the table is have some strategic planning ... so we can have a look to see what our terms of reference will be and what our mandate will be," said Hawley, who is the committee representative for African Nova Scotians.
"Where we come in is to (look at different diverse communities) and look at them with a different perspective, a different lens and say what are the issues here, what are the challenges, and how do we solve them."
Twelve seats are currently on the committee which meets once a month. These seats are for members who represent each community and include Indigenous, LGBTQ+ and disabled. There are also seats representing immigrants to the CBRM, educators and women.
Hawley said the goal is to get people who represent all the diversity in the municipality who can push forward what is needed in each community to make the CBRM truly inclusive.
"We need a picture of us, a photo of us to show these are the people that are sitting on this committee and they look just like you," Hawley said.
Along with tackling issues like outdated language in municipal policy, housing for new immigrants and women's rights issues, Hawley said they hope to promote and educate others about acceptance and equality of all.
"We have some great individuals on this committee.
They bring a lot of talent," she said.
"A lot of different visions. You know, a different lens, to help develop and maintain that diverse and inclusive culture. It's something that we need right now with some of the issues going on right now."