Multiculturalism & Diversity

City’s Response To Multicultural and Diversity Issues

In the 1980’s and 90’s, the City of Vancouver undertook different initiatives in response to needs of our culturally diverse communities. The following are some examples:

A. Established the Hastings Institute in 1989 to provide diversity training to staff and other municipalities and provincial government ministries.

B. The City’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program has Policy and Guidelines for hiring a diverse workforce and reports to Council periodically on progress made by all city departments.

C. In 1993, the City hosted a Community Conference called From Barriers To Bridges and Council reaffirmed its policy of reflecting cultural diversity in all aspects of civic involvement and participation, and instructed that key departments provide information on cross-cultural initiatives.

D. In 1995, City Council adopted a Diversity Communications Strategy which was developed by staff and community representatives. Based on recommendations from the Strategy, the City has implemented a Multilingual Information and Referral Phone Service in four languages. The City Clerk’s Department also keeps an inventory of staff who speak a second language. These staff can be accessed by front line reception if there is a need for language assistance. Currently, the City is developing further guidelines on dealing with translation and interpretation needs.

E. One of the largest public involvement processes undertaken by the City is the CityPlan initiative. From 1993-95, about 20,000 Vancouverites participated in the CityPlan process. During that time, CityPlan contacted diverse cultural communities and as a result, there was significant input and participation from cultural and immigrant groups in the CityPlan process. The outreach component is part of the current CityPlan Neighbourhood Visions process.

F. In the last four civic elections, special efforts were made to reach out to diverse cultural communities in the city and particularly to those residents who have language barriers.

G. The City’s Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities is a Council-appointed committee which advises Council on various policy-related issues concerning diverse groups. The Committee is also responsible for sponsoring the City’s annual Cultural Harmony Awards as well as organizing special commemorative event such as the March 21st International Day For The Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

H. There have been a number of initiatives from the Vancouver Police Department which address diversity issues.  For more information on these initiatives, contact the Office of the Chief Constable, Diversity Relations Unit.

I. Social Planning, working with all civic departments, launched the Newcomer’s Guide to the City of Vancouver in 2001. This guide is available in five languages.

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