Timmins agencies learn about diversity and inclusion
A pair of 'intercultural consultants' spoke to local organizations Tuesday about how they can make workplaces and services more inclusive of Timmins' growing multicultural community.
Hosted by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, community development consultant Madison Mizzau said the goal is to move beyond simply recognizing the city's diversity.
"It's really that action that we can take to make sure that people are feeling that sense of belonging," said Mizzau.
"It's not just about a person who is another number. It's about how that person feels within the community as a whole."
Speakers included Josie Jiang and Jennifer Johnson of JJ Intercultural Consulting, which has an office in Sault Ste Marie.
They delved into how people can learn from different cultures, recognize how they can benefit a community and the importance of moulding a workplace to better support different perspectives.
"You hire foreign workers, but do you hire them so that they can fit into your organizational culture or do you actually make the effort to include them and have different policies?" said Jiang, a first-generation immigrant from China.
"Simply inviting someone and expecting them to just fit in, that's not inclusion."
The speakers said building a truly inclusive community involves hard work to understand people's life circumstances. When people are understood and included, they can better contribute their skills.
"It takes a willingness to be a little bit uncomfortable, in order for somebody else to be more comfortable," said Johnson.
"That's equity."
Mizzau said Timmins has done a good job of promoting multiculturalism, supporting different cultural events and welcoming newcomers to the area.
However, she said, there's always more everyone can do, both collectively and individually, to become a more inclusive city.
The speakers concluded their webinar by emphasizing that understanding and including different cultures in Canadian society is an ongoing effort.
"The more people talk about this," said Jiang, "the better chances my communities and I can have to succeed and the greater contributions we can make to Canada."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Trump's lawyers grill ex-tabloid publisher as 1st week of hush money trial testimony nears a close
After prosecutors' lead witness painted a tawdry portrait of “catch-and-kill” tabloid schemes, defence lawyers in Donald Trump's criminal trial on Friday sought to dig into an account of the former publisher of the National Enquirer and his efforts to protect Trump from negative stories during the 2016 election.