Port Coquitlam, BC – Nov. 4, 2023… Community members who are passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and committed to eliminating discrimination in Port Coquitlam are invited to apply to join the City’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Roundtable by November 18, 2024.
Now entering its fourth term, the EDI Roundtable was launched in 2020 by Mayor Brad West to demonstrate the City’s ongoing commitment to removing barriers and developing welcoming, inclusive, and equitable practices and policies.
“The City of Port Coquitlam is committed to continuing to build an inclusive City where everyone feels valued, heard, and represented,” said Mayor Brad West. “Our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Roundtable brings together voices from across our community to ensure that our policies and programs actively remove barriers and create opportunities for all. I encourage residents from all walks of life to apply and join us in shaping a City that truly reflects and respects its diversity.”
The next term will begin in January 2025 and end in December 2026, with meetings taking place quarterly on Monday evenings. The Roundtable will break in July and August, and members will have opportunities to participate in additional working group projects and discussions.
The City seeks volunteers who reflect Port Coquitlam’s diversity, including Indigenous people, people of color, 2SLGBTQI+ and gender-diverse individuals, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, immigrants and newcomers, individuals living in poverty, seniors, women, youth, and people with lived intersectionality. Experience working with teams, community groups, boards, or organizations is an asset.
Those interested may apply online by November 18 at portcoquitlam.ca/edi. Previous members may also apply for re-appointment consideration.
The EDI Roundtable serves as a resource to City staff on key priorities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Members have the opportunity to provide input as the City seeks to enhance inclusive opportunities through programs, events, services, and policies. The Roundtable also acts as the City’s Accessibility Committee with members providing input on initiatives in the Accessibility Action Plan. Learn more at portcoquitlam.ca/accessibility.
The selection process will ensure a well-rounded group of individuals who represent the community’s diversity and live, work, or study in Port Coquitlam. Selected members will be announced in January 2025.
The focus for the 2023 – 2024 EDI Roundtable was providing input on the City’s first Accessibility Action Plan, adopted officially in Fall 2023 and a new requirement for municipalities under the Accessible BC Act. Members were an important resource in identifying, removing and preventing barriers that community members with disabilities experience or may experience in the course of interacting with the City. Members also provided feedback and contributions that led to the City’s first Lunar New Year celebration and offered input on enhancing communication and information-sharing with our diverse community. Connections with community partners, such as the Tri-City Local Immigration Partnership, inspired the promotion of resources during Anti-Racism Awareness Week.
For more information about this and other citizen roundtables in Port Coquitlam, visit portcoquitlam.ca/roundtable.
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