Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 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 and 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.

Apply to be on the committee

Applications will be accepted until March 28, 2025, at 4 pm.

Apply to be on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee

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, vision disability, etc.

Background

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.

Committee meetings

Visit the Civic portal for meeting information.

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: Held virtually over Zoom

Dates:

  • January 29, 2024
  • February 26, 2024
  • April 29, 2024
  • May 27, 2024
  • June 24, 2024

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 and held virtually.  Any requests to attend a meeting must be made through the Committee Chair.
  • 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).

 Staff will prepare agendas before the meeting in consultation with the committee chair. Meeting minutes will be prepared by a staff member or designated committee member and forwarded to each committee member (copied to the City Clerk).

Committee members

Term:  Four years, 2023-2026

  • Councillor Mona Patel
  • Marilyn Tian (Chair)
  • Sheila DeLuca (Co-Chair)
  • Nkiru Nwagbo
  • Marla Terreberry-Portfilio
  • Elizabeth Grimmond
  • Erden Ertorer
  • Brian Kon
  • Jitto Tom Uthup
  • Cat Thagard

Staff advisors from Human Resources and Recreation and Culture will join meetings when needed to support discussions, but they won’t vote. Their attendance will depend on the topics being discussed and may include City staff and other stakeholders.

Committee rules

Resources