Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Resources for BC Local Governments

IDEA Resource Materials

We recognize that engaging in IDEA learning can be challenging for individuals with lived experience of the issues. Should you need supports, be sure to refer to our mental health resource page.

• Accessible Employers
• Advancing Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Municipalities
• BC Canadian Mental Health Association, Workplace Mental Health
• BC Government:
• Words Matter: Guidelines on using inclusive language in the workplace
• Gender equity & 2SLGBTQIA+ resources and Gender Equity Definitions
• Accessible British Columbia Act
• AcessibleBC: B.C’s Accessiblity Plan
• Human Rights Codeand Human rights protection 
• Accessibility Directorate - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
• WelcomeBC / Hire Internationally Trained Workers
• WelcomeBC / Support & Retain Your Workers
• WorkBC Create an Inclusive Workplace Employer Resources
• BC Healthy Communities:
• Is an Equity Lens being applied in your community
• Protective Factors, A guide to promote child and youth mental wellness in realms that local government influence
• Age-friendly Communities
• How Do Local Governments Improve Health and Community Well-being
• BC Human Rights and Employment Equity Toolkit  
• BC Human Rights Tribunal
• Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) is a partnership dedicated to advancing accessibility and inclusion throughout Canada. They offer resources and training on accessibility standards and best practices.
• Canadian Centre of Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
• Glossary of Terms (PDF)
• Making the case diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Exploring my power and privilege
• DEI Councils and Committees
• Other Toolkits
• Canadian Commission for UNESCO: IDEA Toolkit
• Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination and CMARD booklet
• Creating Inclusive and Equitable Cities
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association: Accessible Navigation to Employment Program – Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (chha.ca)
• Canadian Hearing Services: Services for Businesses and Government | Canadian Hearing Services (chs.ca)
• Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in Canada. Their website offers information on equity, accessibility, and discrimination at the national level.
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Come to Work program: Come to Work | CNIB - Come to Work
• Canadian Women in Local Leadership
• Community Living BC
• Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods
• DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (BC): a BC-based organization that focuses on empowering newcomers and promoting diversity and inclusion. They offer resources and services related to IDEA. Website: DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (dcrs.ca)
• Disability Alliance BC
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities:
• Resource Library for Inclusive Municipal Governance
• Egale improving lives of 2SLGBTQI people
• Government of Canada: Gender-based Analysis Plus and Step by step video
• It Gets Better Canada – empowerment of 2SLGBTQ+ youth
• Harvard Business Review: The Key to Inclusive Leadership
• Inclusion BC
• International City Management Association (ICMA): Race, Equity, and Social Justice and ICMA Equity & Inclusion Toolkit
• Implicit Association test
• Plan Institute
• Pride at Work
• Simon Fraser University: Beyond Inclusion, Equity in Public Engagement: A Guide for Practitioners
• Toolkit: the Role of Municipalities on Welcoming Newcomers

For tools and resources about Truth and Reconciliation, refer to the LGMA Truth and Reconciliation Resources Page.

Local Government Examples of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Activities 

(sorted alphabetically)

• City of Abbotsford, Diversity and Inclusion
• Bowen Island, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• City of Burnaby, Diversity and Inclusion & Intercultural Policies and Initiatives
• City of Castlegar, Strategic Plan (Diversity Value)
• City of Chilliwack, Inclusion, Diversity and Accessibility Action Plan
• Central Coast Regional District, Accessibility Plan 
• Comox Valley Regional District, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusivity Driver
• District of Clearwater, DEI Working Group
• District of Squamish, IDEA Committee
• City of Coquitlam, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 
• City of Courtenay, Strategic Priorities (Social Equity, Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Lens
• Cowichan Valley Regional District, Strategic Plan
• City of Cranbrook, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program
• City of Delta, Diversity and Inclusion
• Township of Esquimalt, IDEA
• City of Kamloops, Accessibility
• City of Kelowna, Social and Inclusive
• District of Kitimat, Diversity and Inclusion Committee/Commission
• City of Nanaimo, Equity and Inclusivity Policies
• Regional District of Nanaimo, RDN Accessibility page 
• City of New Westminster, Multiculturalism and Inter-Cultural Relations
• City of North Vancouver, Community-Environment, Social Planning and Cultural Diversity
• City of Penticton, Accessible City
• City of Port Alberni, Community Safety and Social Development Objectives
• City of Port Coquitlam, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable
• City Prince Rupert Strategic Plan
• City of Revelstoke, Social Goals
• City of Richmond, Culture Social Inclusion
• District of Saanich, Accessibility & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 
• City of Surrey, Accessibility Action Plan
• City of Terrace, Anti-Racism Policy
• City of Vancouver: Equity Framework Getting our house in order: The City of Vancouver's Equity Framework
• City of Victoria – City of Victoria, Inclusion and Equity

Additional Canadian local government initiatives

• City of Edmonton:Art of Inclusion: Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework
• City of Ottawa: Equity & Inclusion Lens Handbook 
  

Contact office@lgma.ca if you have suggestions about additional local government IDEA initiatives, policies or frameworks to include in the above list.