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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.