Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations Initiatives

At the City of Ottawa, we are committed to integrating racial equity in the way we deliver programs and services. All residents regardless of their racial background deserve to feel heard, seen and well served. We recognize systemic racism* exists. It is our responsibility as public servants, members of the community, and as human beings to work together in the fight to end racism.

In the past years, the City has implemented new anti-racism measures, including committing a budget to create an Anti-Racism Secretariat to address systemic racism in our community and within the City’s workplaces and services. The Secretariat will ensure the City collects and uses race-based data and applies an anti-racism lens when developing and evaluating City policies, programs and services. The Anti-Racism Secretariat will work together with all City departments to actively remove systemic barriers and contribute to a society where resources are distributed and opportunities are created equitably for all, no matter the color of your skin.

* Systemic Racism: Public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other norms work in various and often reinforcing ways to exclude, marginalize and exploit Indigenous and racialized groups. Systemic racism is supported by institutional power and the powerful and often unexamined racist ideas, which make racism look normal and justified. Systemic racism allows individuals to perpetrate racism or reinforce racist ideas in organizations, communities and society at large.

Community Information Sessions

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The Anti-Racism Secretariat invites you to attend one of the following in-person information sessions. The purpose of the information sessions is to inform you the City’s first Anti-Racism Strategy, its priorities and next steps, as well as explore potential partnerships in the community for the strategy’s implementation.
Session 1: June 14, 4:30-7pm (the first hour will be social and the information session will begin at 5:15/5:30pm) hosted by City for All Women Initiative. Click here to register.
Session 2: June 20, 10am-12pm, hosted in partnership with Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership during the Welcoming Ottawa Week. Click here to RSVP.
Please register to attend one of these sessions!
We will provide an update here if any additional information sessions become available.
City of Ottawa Anti-Racism Strategy

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On June 22, 2022, City Council approved the Anti-Racism Strategy. The strategy is a five-year plan to proactively identify and remove systemic barriers in City policies, programs and services. It is a first step towards creating a city where everyone feels safe, and regardless of their ethnic or racial background, can access resources and opportunities to realize their full potential.
The strategy proposes an action plan with seven areas of focus, 28 recommendations and 132 actions to be implemented over the next five years (2023-2028). Achieving racial equity is critical for the City to develop and deliver programs and services that respond to the diverse needs of Ottawa residents and create an equitable and inclusive workplace. These seven areas of the focus are:     
- Governance     
- Housing     
- Economic development     
- Health outcomes     
- Children and youth development     
- Achieving racial equity in the workplace     
- Institutional practices    
The Anti-Racism Strategy will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 (2023 to 2025) is underway. It focuses on building internal support and awareness in the workplace and collecting race-related data. The Anti-Racism Secretariat will work closely with City departments and the community to develop a strategic accountability framework during this phase, which will be published on ottawa.ca/antiracism in the spring of 2024.

Phase 1 also includes a mid-term review. Findings from the review will be built into the design of phase 2 implementation.  
The City of Ottawa is committed to anti-racism and the journey ahead to integrate racial equity into all City plans, policies and services. The success of this strategy and action plan relies on the collective efforts of everyone. This includes City Council, community organizations, City leadership teams and staff, and every individual who live, work or use services in Ottawa. 
An anti-racist city, where systemic racism is no longer a barrier to an individual’s access to safety, resources, and opportunities, can improve the overall health and well-being of all members in our community. 
Please contact us at antiracism@ottawa.ca for more information about the Anti-Racism Secretariat or the Anti-Racism Strategy.
Anti-Racism Advisory Table Application Launched

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The City is now accepting member applications for the new Anti-Racism Advisory Table, a group that will help inform the City’s first Anti-Racism Strategy.
The advisory table will be made up of anti-racism leaders from racialized communities who will provide subject matter expertise to the City’s Anti-Racism Secretariat. The group’s mandate is to collaborate to raise awareness about systemic and individual experiences of racism, encourage actions to effectively address racism and provide input into the City’s Anti-Racism Strategy. The group will bring forward community perspectives on all aspects of racism, including the six priority areas the strategy will address: employment equity, housing, governance, economic development, health outcomes and youth development – all of which are within the City’s jurisdiction.
You can apply online to be a member of the advisory table before the deadline of August 10. Appointments for members will be finalized by August 31.
Members will meet every two months to:
- Share expertise and knowledge about key issues, risks and opportunities.
- Inform the table on trends, community concerns and best practices in anti-racism approaches.
- Identify opportunities to advance the progress, adoption and integration of the Anti-Racism Strategy within City systems, structures and services.
All Ottawa residents from Indigenous and racialized communities that are 18 years of age and older are eligible to apply. A selection committee of community leaders and City staff will choose members for the table, being mindful of the importance of intersectional representation. Candidates will be selected based on their experience in anti-racism work and their specific knowledge of community issues.
Ottawa is built on unceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory and honours Algonquin presence and nationhood. The City recognizes and respects the presence and contributions of all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, including urban Indigenous communities in Ottawa. As such, the City is working on a parallel process with Indigenous communities in collaboration with the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition on their identified priorities.
For more information on the City’s Anti-Racism Advisory Table and eligibility requirements, please refer to the application form. You can also click here for the Table's Terms of Reference.
The City condemns all forms of racism. Municipal governments play a leading role in identifying and challenging systemic racism. Led by its Anti-Racism Secretariat, the City is committed to advancing a more inclusive and responsive municipal government, to ensure all people are served equitably.
Action Planning Sessions - Phase II

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The Anti-Racism Secretariat will host a series of virtual public engagement sessions with diverse communities of racialized residents to plan targeted actions and inform the six priority areas.
- Community Stakeholders Action Planning Session: Tuesday, July 27 from 2:00PM-4:00PM
- All Resident Action Planning Session: Wednesday, July 28 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized Resident Action Planning Session: Thursday, July 29 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized Women and Gender Diverse Persons: Wednesday, August 4 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized Youth: Thursday, August 5 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized Persons with Disabilities: Monday, August 9 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized Francophones: Tuesday, August 10 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Racialized 2SLGBTQQIA+ Community: Wednesday, August 11, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
To register for one of following engagement sessions, please click here.
Action Planning Survey Re-Launched

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*Survey is now closed- What We Heard Report to follow with summary of survey results*
The survey is open to all residents and will help determine the immediate needs within the six priority areas identified in past consultation – employment equity, housing, governance, economic development, health outcomes and youth development – all of which are within the City’s jurisdiction.
The survey also asks residents how the secretariat can address systemic racism, and how they would like to engage and collaborate with the secretariat toward the goal of ensuring a safe and equitable city for everyone.
Residents can access the survey here.
The survey will be open until Saturday, July 31, 2021.
Action Planning Survey

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*Survey is now closed- What We Heard Report to follow with summary of survey results*
The survey is open to all residents and will help determine the immediate needs within the six priority areas identified in past consultation – employment equity, housing, governance, economic development, health outcomes and youth development – all of which are within the City’s jurisdiction.
The survey also asks residents how the secretariat can address systemic racism, and how they would like to engage and collaborate with the secretariat toward the goal of ensuring a safe and equitable city for everyone.
Residents can access the survey here.
Action Planning Sessions - Phase I

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The Anti-Racism Secretariat will host a series of virtual public engagement sessions with diverse communities of racialized residents to plan targeted actions and inform the six priority areas.
The first phase of engagement will be for communities most targeted by hate crimes in Ottawa, which include the Black, Indigenous, Asian, Jewish and Muslim communities. Once these communities have had the opportunity to participate, additional engagement sessions will be scheduled to ensure all residents can be heard.
To register for one of following engagement sessions, please click here.
Anti-Racism resources

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This is a collection of resources you can access if you have a lived experience of racism, if you want to learn about racism, and if you want to learn and contribute to ways of dismantling systemic and day-to-day racism. There are many resources available, and any one of them is a good start.
The resources are organized in the following sections:
- Readings and resources
- For children and youth
- Being an ally
- Mental health supports
- City of Ottawa
- Other levels of government
- Organizations
This list is intended as a living resource that we can build over time for the benefit of all. Please send any feedback and suggestions to antiracism@ottawa.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.
Readings and resources
Children and youth
Being an ally
Mental Health Supports
- Black Youth Helpline: 1-833-294-8650 or https://blackyouth.ca/
- Counselling connect (same or next day mental health appointments)
- Jaku Konbit: (Black youth support group): 613-567-0600
- KidsHelp phone (available 24/7): 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
- Mental Health Resource Guide, Ottawa Public Health
- OCISO (staff working remotely): 613-725-5671x316 or email
- Ottawa Distress Centre: 613-238-3311
- Somali Centre for Family Services: 613-526-2075
- Youth Services Bureau (YSB) crisis line available 24/7: 613-260-2360 or chat.ysb.ca
City of Ottawa
- Committee receives update on City efforts to address systemic racism. Council Updates, June 2, 2020
- Equity & Inclusion Lens Snapshot: Racialized People. CAWI & City of Ottawa, 2016
Other Levels of Government
Organizations
Councillor King's Council Liaison Appointment Presentation

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Link to video transcript
Link to PowerPoint presentation
Anti-Racism in Ottawa, Public Listening Forum

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Closed: The waitlist and registration for the public listening forum are currently closed.

This forum is now closed
United for All Coalition, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, is hosting a virtual Anti-Racism in Ottawa Public Listening Forum. The forum is currently at capacity for registration. Please fill out this form to be added to the waitlist. If you come off the waitlist, you will be emailed at the address you provide below.
If you have any questions about the registration, please contact us at publicengagement@ottawa.ca.
If you have any questions about the City’s Anti-Racism Secretariat, please contact us at antiracism@ottawa.ca.
If you have any questions about the United for All Coalition, please contact Abid Jan at ajan@unitedwayeo.ca.
Simultaneous French translation, sign language interpretation (ASL and LSQ) and captioning will be provided for this event. Two counsellors (two African/Caribbean/Black Counsellors, one of whom speaks French, Spanish, and Creole) will also be available during and after the event if participants require support.
Alternative formats and communications supports can be provided upon request. Please email accessibilityoffice@ottawa.ca for details.