Council approves Oakville’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Multi-Year Plan

Enhancing community belonging at the heart of the plan

On April 29, 2024, Oakville Town Council unanimously approved the Town of Oakville Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Multi-Year Plan, which outlines town actions  over the next five years to be a more inclusive Oakville. The plan includes four goals that support the town’s objective to be an inclusive workplace and community where everyone feels they belong:

• Goal 1: Foundational – drive the objective. Be accountable for incorporating IDEA in all areas of the organization.
• Goal 2: Internal – attract and retain people. Cultivate a work environment that is diverse, inclusive, safe and one where staff feel respected and valued.
• Goal 3: Community – listen to, engage and serve the community. Reflect our inclusive culture throughout the range of services we provide to our community.
• Goal 4: Sustainability – communicate, track and measure. Align and connect our IDEA

Over the next year, staff will continue work on the foundational actions outlined for 2024, including reviewing, improving and introducing policies and procedures using the Inclusion Lens, and rolling out communications to let staff and the community know what the plan is and how it is progressing. Staff will report annually on the plan and post updates on oakville.ca. 

The IDEA plan builds on actions outlined in Council's Strategic Plan and the 2023-2026 Action Plan where inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility are further engrained in the town’s commitment to an inclusive workplace and community. One of the four key priorities is dedicated to enhancing community belonging to ensure all residents are invited to engage in a fulfilling community life that is built to support well-being. Inclusivity is also one of the plan’s guiding principles where we commit to creating a welcoming and inclusive community. The plan also supports the town’s vision to be a vibrant and livable community for all.

To learn more, visit the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Multi-Year Plan page. 
 

Quotes

“Council and I fully support the IDEA multi-year plan, which advances our collective effort to support inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in our workplace and community. The plan complements Council’s Strategic Action Plan well, particularly when it comes to enhancing community belonging by providing opportunities, services and programs for all residents to participate and engage in. Together we can realize our collective vision of a vibrant and livable community for all.”
-  Mayor Rob Burton

“The town is excited about continuing work on the IDEA multi-year plan, which reflects years of work and consultation with staff and the community, and builds on the town’s existing efforts for a more inclusive Oakville. IDEA work will not only benefit employees and residents, but also the overall success and sustainability of our organization and the community.”
- CAO Jane Clohecy
 

Background

• Review the April 29, 2024 Council agenda and related documents on the IDEA plan.
• The Town of Oakville has implemented a number of IDEA initiatives over the last 20 years. The IDEA plan maps out actions that will be taken by the town over the next five years to advance inclusion work. 
• In 2021, the town created a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to formalize its commitment to initiatives that embrace diversity, equity and inclusion. The town began a partnership with CCDI Consulting Inc., a leader in diversity and inclusion in the workplace, to assess the town’s current state, including gathering workplace demographics and capturing all levels of diversity and inclusion in the town’s workforce. 
• Community engagement also began in 2021 with staff engaging in 21 virtual focus groups and interview sessions with representatives from more than 60 community groups and organizations. About 600 people participated in the public online survey and staff hosted in-person engagement efforts at locations such as the Oakville GO station, food banks and town community centres.
• In 2022, the town and CCDI Consulting Inc. delivered a Diversity and Inclusion Current State Inclusivity Report and the following related documents to Council, updating members on the town’s progress:
  • Current State Inclusivity Assessment – Summary Report
  • 2021-2022 Inclusion and Diversity Initiatives
  • 2021 Accessibility Annual Status Update 
• A draft of the IDEA multi-year plan was presented to Council on December 18, 2023 and shared with the public for feedback from December 2023 to January 31, 2024. A total of 294 comments were received through a variety of channels, including email, phone, online feedback form and social media.