The city has outlined a series of commitments for the year 2022 to combat discrimination and racism in Montreal. The 12 commitments, the city says, are "inspired" by 38 recommendations produced by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) in 2020.
The 2022 objectives fall under five broad goals: achieving "an administration free of racism and systemic discrimination," "public safety free of profiling," "cultural equity," "territorial and economic equity" and "inclusive civic participation."
The commitments are outlined in part below. Many come with concrete sub-points. Others are less concrete.
- "Be an exemplar of diversity, equity and inclusion in employment within the Human Resources Department."
- This includes creating a new office within the municipal human resources department dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
- "Support all departments and boroughs in their goals of workforce diversity and inclusion in the workplace."
- "Facilitate the flow of complaints from City of Montreal employees."
- The city wants to create a "reference document" where municipal employees can easily find ways to submit complaints.
- It also wants to create a "Respect and Equity Division" within Human Resources, tasked with investigating issues of racism and systemic discrimination experienced by employees.
- "Strengthen actions to combat racial and social profiling."
- This includes yet more training for police officers on diversity and de-escalation.
- "Raise awareness and knowledge of mechanisms for combating hate crimes and incidents."
- "Strengthen links with Indigenous organizations and citizens."
- Montreal hopes to hire a "community development and liaison advisor with Indigenous peoples" for the SPVM.
- "Promote and ensure greater representation of diversity in Montreal's festivals and cultural events."
- This includes giving cultural organizations a framework to "analyze [their] inclusive practices."
- The city also plans to develop and make use of data on event participants and suppliers.
- "Document the impact of territorial and economic equity on issues of racism and systemic discrimination."
- The city aims to map "vulnerable urban areas to prioritize municipal investments."
- "Ensure better distribution of municipal investments, especially in urban safety, based on data and mapping."
- "Link green initiatives to issues of racism and systemic discrimination to ensure greater environmental justice among citizens."
- Montreal will "revise urban heat island mapping with a methodology to assess the number of trees planted in areas vulnerable to heat waves and heat islands" and will "continue to prioritize tree planting in vulnerable areas."
- "Fight against discriminatory housing practices in the metropolitan area's rental market."
- The city claims its forthcoming responsible landlord certification and rent registry (for buildings of eight or more units only) will help with this.
- It also wants to "educate housing partners on improving tenant selection processes and the impact of unconscious bias and prejudice."
- "Increase the civic participation of racialized and Indigenous people in the City of Montreal."
In a press release, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said following through on these commitments will "accelerate the organizational transformation of the City of Montreal starting this year, in order to build a city in which everyone is equal, can fulfill their potential and live with dignity."
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
