The City’s diversity and inclusion framework is based on various educational and development approaches that provide practical and experiential learning opportunities for City employees and leaders in a respectful environment. Education and awareness are an important part of shifting mindsets. Learning on unconscious bias, cultural and generational differences, human rights and other topics are offered on a constant basis. The City also hosts an annual event for employees to share and learn called Experience Inclusion.

The principles of inclusion and human rights are discussed throughout the year, often tied to designated dates such as Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History Month, International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, International Women’s Day, Orange Shirt Day and many others. These dates are shared with employees, along with resources that may include speakers, educational resources and specific information. Diversity and Inclusion is more than just the recognition of a day, however, these allow us to push the boundaries of comfort to encourage self-reflection and courageous conversations in a respectful way.

The City practices ongoing review of policies, systems and programs using a diversity and inclusion lens and providing recommendations to:

• Ensure fair, accessible and unbiased policies, programs and practices.
• Identify and address barriers to be able to ensure we are providing accessible and inclusive services and can proactively respond to identified challenges.

Examples of recent work include reviewing recruitment and selection systems, practices and processes to determine if real or perceived systemic barriers exist. The City also reviews and refreshes its programs and training using a diversity and inclusion lens. Our Respectful Workplace, Code of Conduct and Recognition Program have benefited from these reviews in the past few years. The City has also conducted a Gender Inclusion Audit as part of the GEDI (Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) strategy development.

Diversity and Inclusion principles are very complex and there are a variety of collaborative partnerships with internal and external partners. This engagement advances our inclusion journey and helps to ensure equitable and accessible services to all Calgarians.

in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Diversity and Inclusion office has partnered with internal and community partners to develop Indigenous Awareness to all employees as the foundation for meaningful long-term relationships and ways of knowing, contributing to providing inclusive and equitable services guided by The City of Calgary's Indigenous Policy and Indigenous Policy Framework.

The City identified a need to assess the diversity and inclusion of its workforce, in order to examine our inclusivity. Measuring diversity and inclusion is done by using both quantitative (numerical) data and qualitative (non-numerical) measures.

The City collects and analyzes data through the Corporate Employee Survey. Data is used to inform decision making and assess the progress of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. The City started collecting demographic data in 2015, and introduced an Inclusion Index the following year. This index measures how groups of employees perceive their workplace differently and identifies areas requiring support and focus.

We make life better every day by continuing to learn, challenging the status quo and having meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion. Listening and learning helps us all understand our unconscious biases and how to overcome them. If we interact in a healthy, respectful and inclusive environment that provides accessible and inclusive services we make life better every day for everyone!