Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee works to make Niagara Falls a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and included. We listen to our community, celebrate diversity, and help remove barriers so all residents and visitors can thrive.

 

About us

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DEI) provides recommendations, advice and information to the Mayor, City Council and staff on the following terms of reference:

  • Removing barriers to inclusion for all residents and visitors in our community
  • Achieving a greater understanding of the many diverse communities in Niagara Falls and their vision for our city, to help build cohesion among diverse populations
  • Reviewing City policies and master plans through a diverse lens to ensure they are executed, emphasizing improving all forms of diversity
  • Fostering greater inclusion of all residents and stakeholders so that they meet the needs of all residents in the community
  • Ensuring more effective outreach on diversity matters
  • Facilitating discussions with community groups to promote broader understanding and engagement between residents of diverse backgrounds and abilities

 

Our DEI journey

The City of Niagara Falls is working to build a respectful, inclusive workplace and a community where everyone can participate and feel a sense of belonging.

Since 2020, the City has introduced training, reviewed policies, gathered employee feedback and supported community initiatives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This work involves City staff, Council, advisory committees and community partners.

Explore the milestones below to learn how the City’s DEI journey has developed.

Building the foundation

The City began its DEI work with Niagara Region in 2020. In 2021, it formed advisory committees to bring community voices into City decisions.

  • 2020 - Joining a shared commitment: In August 2020, the City supported Niagara Region’s application to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, supporting efforts to address racism, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance.
  • 2021 - Establishing advisory committees: Council established the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations informed by lived experience and community perspectives.
  • Defining roles and responsibilities: Terms of Reference established each committee’s mandate, membership, procedures and reporting relationship to Council.

Understanding barriers and improving policies

Community feedback, research and a review of City policies helped the City find barriers and ways to be more inclusive.

  • 2021 - Learning from the community: The City’s assessment drew on Niagara Region’s community survey, alongside demographic information, workforce representation, policies and employee and community feedback.
  • 2023 - Reviewing corporate policies: An independent consultant reviewed key City policies and practices through a DEI lens. The work included document reviews and interviews with staff, leaders and committee members to identify barriers and recommend improvements.
  • 2023 - Establishing a corporate policy: The City adopted a Corporate DEI and Anti-Racism Policy to guide its approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
  • Updating employment practices: The City revised its recruitment and selection policies and accessibility provisions related to employment.

Listening to employees

Employee feedback helps the City build a workplace where people feel respected, included and welcome.

  • 2022 - Gathering employee feedback: The City conducted its first employee engagement survey through an independent consulting firm. The survey included questions about diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Establishing a baseline: The results provided information to help identify workplace strengths and areas for improvement and establish a baseline for future comparison.

Supporting learning and development

Training helps employees make hiring and City services fair and welcoming.

  • 2020 - Introducing mandatory training: The City introduced mandatory staff training on human rights, DEI and anti-racism.
  • 2021 - Expanding learning: Mandatory training was expanded to include Truth and Reconciliation.
  • Supporting fair recruitment: The City introduced unconscious bias training for interview panel members to support fair, transparent and equitable hiring practices.

Strengthening community connections

Events, partnerships and awards bring people together to learn, connect and build a more inclusive Niagara Falls.

  • 2022 - Supporting community education: A DEI Advisory Committee member organized a week-long educational event featuring Phyllis Webstad.
  • Supporting community collaboration: The Committee also collaborated with Brock University’s Student TV and the Niagara Parks Commission on a video for the Canada Summer Games 13 for 13 Festival.
  • 2023 - Creating visible reminders of inclusion: A Pride Bench was installed on Main Street, and a Truth and Reconciliation Bench was installed at Rosberg Park.
  • 2024 and 2025 - Bringing people together: The DEI Advisory Committee coordinated the City’s first DEI Summit in 2024 and a second summit in 2025, creating opportunities for learning and discussion.
  • 2025 and 2026 - Recognizing workplace practices: The City was named a Hamilton–Niagara Top Employer in both years.
  • 2026 - Recognizing community leadership: The DEI Advisory Committee established the City’s inaugural DEI Awards to recognize Niagara Falls businesses and organizations advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Ongoing - Supporting awareness and reconciliation: The City marks Pride Month and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation through flag raisings and shares educational resources through its Truth and Reconciliation webpage.

Continuing the journey

DEI is an ongoing commitment. The City will continue using employee feedback, community input and policy reviews to improve workplace practices, municipal services and opportunities for participation.

DEI Committee information

On August 11, 2020 City Council endorsed support for participation in the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, a network that includes 121 Canadian cities. The Niagara Region and the 12 municipalities signed a joint declaration to join the Coalition on September 18, 2020.

Joining the Coalition and working actively towards the following 10 commitments is beneficial to help build respectful, inclusive and diverse societies and to positively impact newcomers, immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ2S+ community:

    1. Increase vigilance against systemic and individual racism and discrimination
    2. Monitor racism and discrimination in the community more broadly as well as municipal actions taken to address racism and discrimination
    3. Inform and support individuals who experience racism and discrimination
    4. Support policing services in their efforts to be exemplary institutions in combating racism and discrimination
    5. Provide equal opportunities as a municipal employer, service provider, and contractor
    6. Support measures to promote equity in the labour market
    7. Support measures to challenge racism and discrimination and promote diversity and equal opportunity in housing
    8. Involve citizens by giving them a voice in anti-racism initiatives and decision-making
    9. Support measures to challenge racism and discrimination and promote diversity and equal opportunity in housing
    10. Promote respect, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity and the inclusion of Aboriginal and racialized communities into the cultural fabric of the municipality

The application period is closed.

Qualifications

Members are selected through an application and interview process. The interview panel will include the appointed Council representative and staff representatives.  Recommendations will be presented to Council for approval. Selected candidates must attend an orientation session.

  1. Must be a Niagara Falls resident, business owner or stakeholder
  2. Have general knowledge of overall community issues facing inclusion and accessibility
  3. Bring understanding, expertise and experience covering one or more categories under the Human Rights Code:
    • Age – i.e. Youth (18-30), Adults (30-65), Seniors (65+)
    • Gender and gender identity
    • Sexual orientation – LGBTQ2S+
    • Faith – i.e. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Atheist, etc.
    • Ethno-cultural – i.e. Southeast Asian, Arab, Italian, Polish, etc.
    • Physical & mental ability – i.e. autistic, visual disability, etc.

Location: Held virtually

Dates and times: Meetings start at 6:00 pm unless otherwise posted.

  • January 12, 2026
  • February 23, 2026 
  • March 30, 2026
  • April 27, 2026
  • May 25, 2026
  • June 29, 2026

General meeting procedures

  • We meet as required or decided by the Chair or at Council's direction
  • The dates of meetings are confirmed once the DEI’s annual work plan is finalized, so that they coincide with the plans and projects under discussion
  • The Chair of DEI, in consultation with city staff, may cancel a meeting if there are insufficient items to discuss
  • Half of the committee members, plus one, will constitute a quorum
  • Meetings will be open to the public. Requests to attend can be made by emailing the staff liaison at hr@niagarafalls.ca.
  • Other Members of the Council may attend meetings, but will participate as non-voting participants
  • Meeting agendas are prepared in advance. Meeting minutes will be prepared by a staff member or designated committee member and forwarded to each committee member (copied to the City Clerk).

Term: Committee members serve a four-year term.

  • Councillor Mona Patel
  • Marilyn Tian (Chair)
  • Sheila DeLuca (Co-Chair)
  • Marla Terreberry-Portfilio
  • Erden Ertorer
  • Jitto Tom Uthup
  • Cat Thagard
  • Jamie Lauzon

Contact Us

City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Canada
905-356-7521
service@niagarafalls.ca