Councillor Damerla arrived at 9:41 a.m.
Juliet Jackson, Director, Office of Culture and Inclusion, provided an overview of the revised Culture Strategy outlining the implementation and alignment with the Region’s 20-year Strategic Plan, Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy, Psychological Health and Well-Being Strategy and the Diverse and Inclusive Workplace priorities. She provided an overview of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy noting that key development inputs will include the 2020 Workforce Census and Employment Systems Review.
In response to a question from Councillor Santos regarding bystander training, Juliet Jackson noted that decisions, such as staff training, will be considered subsequent to the collection of empirical data and the review of organizational systemic issues.
In response to a request from Councillor Santos to consider Council’s domestic violence motion (Resolution 2020-84), Juliet Jackson noted that staff will work with various community groups to address safety issues.
In response to a question from Regional Chair Iannicca regarding the collection of data and establishment of policies and procedures, Juliet Jackson stated that data collected in 2020 will be used to substantiate the current state of the organization; and that recommendations brought to the Committee and Council will seek to ensure the psychological health and well-being of everyone is paramount and preserved during the process.
In response to a question from Councillor Damerla regarding the tracking of staff statistics, Juliet Jackson noted that age and sex are currently tracked and that the 2020 Workforce Census will provide the first opportunity to track additional information; which will be collected from staff on a voluntary basis.
Councillor Damerla requested that data presented to Council be provided in yearly segments to allow for trending analysis.