Anti-Racism Strategy Proposal for the City of Edmonton City Council
Abstract
In this report, Edmonton City Council is being asked to approve the Anti-Racism Strategy to support the equity of racialized communities in Edmonton, structural changes within the City of Edmonton Administration, as
well as the development of an implementation and financing plan to activate the Strategy. This
work will be prioritized in Administration’s work for the long-term City Plan alignment. The proposed anti-racism strategy outlines 3 elements to advance anti-racism in Edmonton, and is asking Council for both approval of the strategy as well as an increase in operating expenditure budget.
Notes
Community organizations:
City of Edmonton City Council
Future research / gaps identified:
If the Anti-Racism strategy proposal is approved, develop an implementation plan and financing strategy.
Key recommendations:
1) Approve the Anti-Racism Strategy, as set out in Attachment 5 of the February 14, 2022, Community Services report CS00872.
2) Increase the 2022 operating expenditure budget for the Social Development branch by $2 million on a one-time basis, with funding from the Edmonton Police Services funds held within Financial Strategies.
Location:
Edmonton, AB
Open access: Yes
Integration timeline: not defined
Key findings:
The proposed Anti-racism Strategy outlines the three elements to advance the ongoing efforts of anti-racism in Edmonton:
1) Independent Anti-racism Body: A community-driven, equitably resourced body that is independent from other city bodies (such as City of Edmonton Administration, Edmonton Police Service, school boards and districts, etc.) will be established to oversee anti-racism in Edmonton and have the ability to stimulate reflection on and challenge systemic racism at all levels in Edmonton.
2) High Level Anti-racism Organization in City Administration: A new anti-racism organization within Administration will be created to challenge racism within the City of Edmonton corporation, including challenging systemic racism, developing a culture of anti-racism, embedding anti-racist action into all processes within Administration, and acting as a collaborative partner with the Independent Anti-Racism Body to co-create a long term Anti-Racism Strategy and Plan for Edmonton.
3) Core Operational and Capacity-Building Funding: In order to strengthen grassroots, BIPOC-led organizations and support them to be more effective with work that empowers BIPOC communities, influences the greater Edmonton culture, and is linked to long term goals in an Anti-Racism Strategy and Plan for Edmonton; the City will establish funding for core operations, capacity-building and other needs identified through collaborative decision making.
Key populations: Racialized population in Edmonton