Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns regarding the County’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. We understand that new initiatives like this can raise questions, and we appreciate the opportunity to address them openly.

The development of a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy for the County of Brant is grounded in our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone who lives and works here – with the understanding that not everyone has the same experiences. In 2023, Council directed staff to create a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and implementation plan that supports Brant's growing population. 

To provide a little more context, the roles you mentioned – Director of Community Partnerships and Community Safety and Well-Being Supervisor – support several key community functions, including but not limited to Accessibility Services, Transit, and our provincially legislated Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. The Director of Community Partnerships role was introduced in June 2023, while the Community Safety and Well-Being Supervisor position resulted from a realignment of existing roles, effective as of November 2024. These roles were developed with Council’s guidance to address the County’s needs in these areas, which have a direct impact on the well-being and quality of life for all County of Brant residents. 

As has also been mentioned, focusing on traditional services, like infrastructure, remains the County’s primary responsibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion will not detract from those services but will work to strengthen them as part of a broader strategy to ensure that all community members feel represented and supported.

Additionally, as part of our diversity, equity, and inclusion engagement, we recognize the importance of language accessibility. Translation costs have been minimal – $182.20 for the Arabic, and Punjabi versions of the survey – and these expenses are part of our Council-approved Community Safety and Well-Being budget. These specific languages were chosen based on the 2021 federal census data, which helps us identify the languages that best reflect the needs of Brant’s growing population, enhancing accessibility for non-English-speaking residents, where possible.

Regarding your experience with the Ideas and Stories platform, we're sorry to hear you had difficulties contributing. Please ensure that submissions are within the 150-word maximum for Ideas and that both Ideas and Stories adhere to our moderation policy. We would also like to thank you for reaching out to the Engage Brant support service at support@engagementhq.com, we are confident that they will be able to assist you further.  If issues do persist, we’d be glad to further assist you. Please contact our Public Consultation Specialist, Dana Steane at dana.steane@brant.ca.

Ultimately, the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy aims to ensure that everyone in Brant, regardless of background or ability, feels a sense of belonging and respect. One way we do this is by listening and learning from all our neighbours, existing and new. This initiative is about strengthening community bonds and fostering a respectful environment for all – a goal we hope all residents, including you, can benefit from and contribute to. We welcome ongoing conversations like this to make sure we represent and serve the entire community in the best possible way.

Thanks again,

Lesley Jackson
Director of Community Partnerships
County of Brant

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with us. They have been noted and will form part of an overarching report to Council.

To provide you with some background, in 2023, County of Brant Council approved the creation of a five-year Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy and Implementation Plan. This work has been undertaken in response to Council’s direction.

"Does Brant County have a DEI Problem?"
Like many municipalities across Canada, the County of Brant is growing. The County’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy is about proactively fostering an inclusive community environment and staying aligned with evolving community expectations and values. Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies often support economic growth and community cohesion by giving all members of the community an opportunity to share their experiences and ideas. While provincial and federal policies provide some coverage, local diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts allow for a tailored approach that addresses the unique needs of the County.

Cost Concerns
There will not be a new staff position created to administer the diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and implementation plan. The County of Brant, like many other municipalities, integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts into existing roles and resources.

The County will not be directly funding community / cultural events hosted by our many valued community partners and organizations. However, organizations are permitted to apply to the Event Grant stream (maximum $5,000) of the County’s Community Grant Awards Program. County of Brant Community Grant Awards are administered based on providing one-time funding for the applicable budget year. There is no commitment to future years’ funding and any contribution to the Community Grants Program is solely at the discretion of the County of Brant Council Annual Budget Process.

Language Consideration in Surveys
The diversity, equity, and inclusion survey has been printed in English, Arabic, and Punjabi. In addition, alternate formats of the survey are available upon request to support people with low vision. Surveys can also be answered over the phone, for people preferring to do so.

The County’s goal is inclusivity, and surveys may be printed in other languages as well as offered in multiple formats to ensure everyone in the community, including those with disabilities, can engage. We can clarify that language support is targeted and specific, based on demographic census data collected by the federal government when the last census was completed in 2021. The census data reflects the needs of Brant’s growing and diverse population.

Balancing Traditional and New Initiatives
Focusing on traditional services remains the County’s primary responsibility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion will not detract from those services. Diversity, equity, and inclusion is, however, part of a broader strategy to ensure that all community members feel represented and supported in ways that might not have been considered in the past. It can complement rather than compete with traditional County priorities like infrastructure and waste management, often by using insights gained through diversity, equity, and inclusion work to make these services even more effective and accessible.

Thanks again,

Lesley Jackson
Director of Community Partnerships
County of Brant