Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA)

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NEW! IDEA Community Grant 2023

Purpose:
The purpose of the IDEA Advisory Group’s IDEA Grant Program 2023 is to amplify the efforts of the IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) in creating opportunities for community engagement and public education around the IDEA principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism or anti-hate.

Grant Amounts:
Grant amounts of up to $2500 may be provided to eligible organizations who demonstrate how their proposed initiative will meet the purpose of the IDEA Community Grant Program. PLEASE NOTE: IDEA Community Grant funding is pending the approval of the District's 2023 Budget.

Streams of Funding:

  1. Employer Funding
    In 2021, the IDEA Community Report (linked under Important Documents on the righthand side of this page) highlighted that the most common place residents of Muskoka experience discrimination is at places of work. In response, the first stream of funding is being offered to support employers who are actively working to strengthen or incorporate IDEA principles into their workplaces and/or service delivery models.
  2. Community Partner Funding
    Funding is being offered to organizations across Muskoka who seek to amplify the efforts of the IAG by creating opportunities for increased public awareness and/or community education aligned with the IDEA principles. Initiatives that build on the November 5, 2022 Hate-Free Muskoka symposium (see below), or the theme of anti-hate, will be of particular interest.

Eligible Organizations:

  • Businesses (must employ more than five staff or demonstrate a significant customer/client base)
  • Charities
  • Non-profits
  • Grass-roots organizations
  • Associations
  • Clubs

For More Information and to Complete an Application:

IDEA Community Grant 2023 Application

The application period will close February 28, 2023.

If you have questions or concerns, or if you require any assistance in the application process, please contact Tina Kilbourne by email at tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2412 x 4308.

The IDEA Advisory Group is Recruiting New Members for 2023 (call for Expressions of Interest is now closed)

The IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) is recruiting new members! If you are interested in joining, please review the IAG Terms of Reference linked under Important Documents on the right-hand side of this page.

The IDEA Advisory Group is made up of two committees:

  • The Champions Committee, the larger of the two committees, is made up of Muskoka residents with a personal commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. The majority of members have lived experience of discrimination but there is also be an opportunity for a limited number of committed Muskoka residents without lived experience to be included.
  • The Partners Committee, the smaller of the two committees, is made up of representatives from Muskoka-based agency partners who are themselves committed to enacting the IDEA principles in their own organizations, as well as the community.

To submit a formal Expression of Interest for either committee you have two options:

  1. Download the appropriate Expression of Interest form, linked under Important Documents on the righthand side of this page, complete and return as instructed.
  2. Access the appropriate online Expression of Interest form linked below:
Champions Committee Expression of Interest
Partners Committee Expression of Interest

Expressions of Interest will be accepted between December 1, 2022 to January 30, 2023. As part of the recruitment process, you may also be asked to meet with the IAG Chair and District staff to gage interest, suitability, and skills

If you have questions or concerns, or if you require any assistance in the expression of interest process, please contact Tina Kilbourne by email at tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2412 x 4308.

IDEA in 2022

Hate Free Muskoka
The IDEA Advisory Group was pleased to offer an opportunity for community members and partner agencies to come together to learn how to recognize and respond to hate in our community.

This free event took place on November 5, 2022 at the Rene Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge and featured four leading anti-hate speakers and a panel on Rising Up to the challenge.

Lunch was provided and a free shuttle to and from Gravenhurst and Huntsville was available.

Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026

The IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) is pleased to announce District Council approved its Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026 on March 21, 2022. For more information what the IAG has planned over the next few years, see the IDEA Advisory Group Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026 linked under Important Documents.

IDEA in 2021

Introducing the IDEA Advisory Group (IAG)

The District of Muskoka is pleased to introduce Muskoka District Council's IDEA Advisory Group (IAG).

The purpose of the District’s IAG is to:

  1. Provide advice and make recommendations to District Council to support it in its goal to become a more inclusive, diverse, equitable and anti-racist community;
  2. Create opportunities for community engagement and public education to advance the goals of IDEA;
  3. Educate itself and its members on issues related to IDEA; and
  4. Promote the goals of IDEA to the Muskoka community at large.

The IAG is comprised of two committees:

1. The Champions Committee, is made up of Muskoka residents with a personal commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. The majority of members have lived experience of discrimination and a minority of members are committed to the IDEA principles, and have experiences and expertise to help inform discussions and decisions. Permanent, seasonal and newly-arrived residents are represented on the Champions Committee.

2. The Partners Committee, is made up of Muskoka-based agency partners who are themselves committed to enacting the IDEA principles in their own organizations, as well as in the community. Agency Partners are dispersed geographically across most of Muskoka.

Final IDEA Community Report

The IDEA Community Report is now finalized and attached on the right-hand side of this page under Important Documents (IDEA Community Report FINAL). Thanks to everyone who provided feedback!

Public Comment On Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report (Public Comment Period Now Closed)

Good news! The Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report is here! It is linked to the right-hand side of this page under Important Documents.

After input from 570 community surveys, 50 focus group participants, and 10 hours of one-on-one interviews, we have heard what Muskokans have to say about Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism in Muskoka.

Before we launch the IDEA Advisory Group and draft an IDEA Community Action Plan, we are seeking public comment on the Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report which outlines findings for all of Muskoka:

Take a look and let us know what you think:

  • Do you agree with what was captured?
  • Are you surprised?
  • Is there anything we missed?
  • Did we focus on any one aspect too much?
  • Did you still want to share a personal experience?

It’s not too late to be heard! Send your feedback via email to tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca with the subject heading: Feedback on the Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report.

This report was posted for public comment until March 19, 2021.

IDEA in 2020

Community Survey

The District Municipality of Muskoka (District or DMM) wants all residents to have equal opportunity for positive educational, financial, social and health outcomes. That is why the mission statement of the Muskoka District Council includes a promise to work together to enhance the inclusiveness of our community.

An inclusive community is one that:

  • Is rich in people who differ in all the many ways people can differ.
  • Provides equal opportunity for all people to thrive.
  • Gives all citizens full access to resources and opportunity, and involves them in decisions that affect their lives.
  • Actively opposes racism and discrimination by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.

We know that Muskoka has its challenges. To better understand these challenges, the District held a survey as the first step in a series of community engagement activities. These activities provide a chance for residents to share their experiences, concerns and be heard. In turn, this information will provide the basis for a community action plan.

The survey was open until December 8, 2020. If you feel like you would still like to provide input, please connect with Tina Kilbourne under "Who's Listening".

In the meantime, survey results are being compiled and analyzed and focus groups are underway.

Please check back for updates!

Background Information

A community's social fabric and economic prosperity is enhanced when it is committed to the dignity of every human being and demands all residents have equal opportunity for positive educational, financial, social and health outcomes. That is why, in its mission statement, Muskoka’s District Council recognizes the need to work together to "enhance the inclusiveness of our caring community”.

That is also why, on June 15 2020, District Council passed an unanimous resolution and directed staff to explore the best practices, programs, initiatives and tools that work to promote and celebrate diversity, as well promote opportunities for dialogue, strengthen relationships and combat systemic racism.

According to the 2016 Census, more than 13% of Muskoka’s permanent population (the Census does not enumerate seasonal residents or second home owners) identified as an immigrant, a visible minority or of Aboriginal identity. While the District of Muskoka has undertaken important work in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, it is now taking a number of important steps to do more, and to connect with and learn from community members.

Key Steps for Muskoka

1. Needs and Gap Analysis through Staff and Community Engagement

  • Based on the experiences of other municipalities it is important to look both inward and outward when embarking on IDEA work. The District started by engaging with racialized, immigrant and minority District staff to better understand their experiences and to ensure the District truly is a workplace free from discrimination, and an employer that embraces and celebrates diversity.
  • Anecdotally, the District has learned that being a visible minority in Muskoka has its challenges. To better understand the scope and nature of these challenges, the District developed and launched a broad community engagement strategy to ensure those who want to share experiences and be heard had the opportunity to connect through a variety of channels, including surveys, focus groups and one-on-one discussions.

2. Muskoka-wide IDEA Action Plan

  • Using the information collected from other municipal action plans, along with the information collected through the staff and community engagement activities, the District is developing a Community IDEA Action Plan, including scope, to be approved by District Council.

3. IDEA Advisory Group

  • To help finalize and guide the execution of a Muskoka-wide IDEA Action Plan, plan for future initiatives, supports and services, and act as an advisory body for District Council, the District is inviting community members and other stakeholders to sit on a community-focused, skills-based advisory group. If you are interested in learning more about the IDEA Advisory Group, please contact Tina Kilbourne as listed under 'Who's Listening"?

NEW! IDEA Community Grant 2023

Purpose:
The purpose of the IDEA Advisory Group’s IDEA Grant Program 2023 is to amplify the efforts of the IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) in creating opportunities for community engagement and public education around the IDEA principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism or anti-hate.

Grant Amounts:
Grant amounts of up to $2500 may be provided to eligible organizations who demonstrate how their proposed initiative will meet the purpose of the IDEA Community Grant Program. PLEASE NOTE: IDEA Community Grant funding is pending the approval of the District's 2023 Budget.

Streams of Funding:

  1. Employer Funding
    In 2021, the IDEA Community Report (linked under Important Documents on the righthand side of this page) highlighted that the most common place residents of Muskoka experience discrimination is at places of work. In response, the first stream of funding is being offered to support employers who are actively working to strengthen or incorporate IDEA principles into their workplaces and/or service delivery models.
  2. Community Partner Funding
    Funding is being offered to organizations across Muskoka who seek to amplify the efforts of the IAG by creating opportunities for increased public awareness and/or community education aligned with the IDEA principles. Initiatives that build on the November 5, 2022 Hate-Free Muskoka symposium (see below), or the theme of anti-hate, will be of particular interest.

Eligible Organizations:

  • Businesses (must employ more than five staff or demonstrate a significant customer/client base)
  • Charities
  • Non-profits
  • Grass-roots organizations
  • Associations
  • Clubs

For More Information and to Complete an Application:

IDEA Community Grant 2023 Application

The application period will close February 28, 2023.

If you have questions or concerns, or if you require any assistance in the application process, please contact Tina Kilbourne by email at tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2412 x 4308.

The IDEA Advisory Group is Recruiting New Members for 2023 (call for Expressions of Interest is now closed)

The IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) is recruiting new members! If you are interested in joining, please review the IAG Terms of Reference linked under Important Documents on the right-hand side of this page.

The IDEA Advisory Group is made up of two committees:

  • The Champions Committee, the larger of the two committees, is made up of Muskoka residents with a personal commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. The majority of members have lived experience of discrimination but there is also be an opportunity for a limited number of committed Muskoka residents without lived experience to be included.
  • The Partners Committee, the smaller of the two committees, is made up of representatives from Muskoka-based agency partners who are themselves committed to enacting the IDEA principles in their own organizations, as well as the community.

To submit a formal Expression of Interest for either committee you have two options:

  1. Download the appropriate Expression of Interest form, linked under Important Documents on the righthand side of this page, complete and return as instructed.
  2. Access the appropriate online Expression of Interest form linked below:
Champions Committee Expression of Interest
Partners Committee Expression of Interest

Expressions of Interest will be accepted between December 1, 2022 to January 30, 2023. As part of the recruitment process, you may also be asked to meet with the IAG Chair and District staff to gage interest, suitability, and skills

If you have questions or concerns, or if you require any assistance in the expression of interest process, please contact Tina Kilbourne by email at tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca or by calling 705-645-2412 x 4308.

IDEA in 2022

Hate Free Muskoka
The IDEA Advisory Group was pleased to offer an opportunity for community members and partner agencies to come together to learn how to recognize and respond to hate in our community.

This free event took place on November 5, 2022 at the Rene Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge and featured four leading anti-hate speakers and a panel on Rising Up to the challenge.

Lunch was provided and a free shuttle to and from Gravenhurst and Huntsville was available.

Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026

The IDEA Advisory Group (IAG) is pleased to announce District Council approved its Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026 on March 21, 2022. For more information what the IAG has planned over the next few years, see the IDEA Advisory Group Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026 linked under Important Documents.

IDEA in 2021

Introducing the IDEA Advisory Group (IAG)

The District of Muskoka is pleased to introduce Muskoka District Council's IDEA Advisory Group (IAG).

The purpose of the District’s IAG is to:

  1. Provide advice and make recommendations to District Council to support it in its goal to become a more inclusive, diverse, equitable and anti-racist community;
  2. Create opportunities for community engagement and public education to advance the goals of IDEA;
  3. Educate itself and its members on issues related to IDEA; and
  4. Promote the goals of IDEA to the Muskoka community at large.

The IAG is comprised of two committees:

1. The Champions Committee, is made up of Muskoka residents with a personal commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism. The majority of members have lived experience of discrimination and a minority of members are committed to the IDEA principles, and have experiences and expertise to help inform discussions and decisions. Permanent, seasonal and newly-arrived residents are represented on the Champions Committee.

2. The Partners Committee, is made up of Muskoka-based agency partners who are themselves committed to enacting the IDEA principles in their own organizations, as well as in the community. Agency Partners are dispersed geographically across most of Muskoka.

Final IDEA Community Report

The IDEA Community Report is now finalized and attached on the right-hand side of this page under Important Documents (IDEA Community Report FINAL). Thanks to everyone who provided feedback!

Public Comment On Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report (Public Comment Period Now Closed)

Good news! The Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report is here! It is linked to the right-hand side of this page under Important Documents.

After input from 570 community surveys, 50 focus group participants, and 10 hours of one-on-one interviews, we have heard what Muskokans have to say about Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism in Muskoka.

Before we launch the IDEA Advisory Group and draft an IDEA Community Action Plan, we are seeking public comment on the Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report which outlines findings for all of Muskoka:

Take a look and let us know what you think:

  • Do you agree with what was captured?
  • Are you surprised?
  • Is there anything we missed?
  • Did we focus on any one aspect too much?
  • Did you still want to share a personal experience?

It’s not too late to be heard! Send your feedback via email to tina.kilbourne@muskoka.on.ca with the subject heading: Feedback on the Muskoka Community IDEA Interim Report.

This report was posted for public comment until March 19, 2021.

IDEA in 2020

Community Survey

The District Municipality of Muskoka (District or DMM) wants all residents to have equal opportunity for positive educational, financial, social and health outcomes. That is why the mission statement of the Muskoka District Council includes a promise to work together to enhance the inclusiveness of our community.

An inclusive community is one that:

  • Is rich in people who differ in all the many ways people can differ.
  • Provides equal opportunity for all people to thrive.
  • Gives all citizens full access to resources and opportunity, and involves them in decisions that affect their lives.
  • Actively opposes racism and discrimination by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life.

We know that Muskoka has its challenges. To better understand these challenges, the District held a survey as the first step in a series of community engagement activities. These activities provide a chance for residents to share their experiences, concerns and be heard. In turn, this information will provide the basis for a community action plan.

The survey was open until December 8, 2020. If you feel like you would still like to provide input, please connect with Tina Kilbourne under "Who's Listening".

In the meantime, survey results are being compiled and analyzed and focus groups are underway.

Please check back for updates!

Background Information

A community's social fabric and economic prosperity is enhanced when it is committed to the dignity of every human being and demands all residents have equal opportunity for positive educational, financial, social and health outcomes. That is why, in its mission statement, Muskoka’s District Council recognizes the need to work together to "enhance the inclusiveness of our caring community”.

That is also why, on June 15 2020, District Council passed an unanimous resolution and directed staff to explore the best practices, programs, initiatives and tools that work to promote and celebrate diversity, as well promote opportunities for dialogue, strengthen relationships and combat systemic racism.

According to the 2016 Census, more than 13% of Muskoka’s permanent population (the Census does not enumerate seasonal residents or second home owners) identified as an immigrant, a visible minority or of Aboriginal identity. While the District of Muskoka has undertaken important work in the areas of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, it is now taking a number of important steps to do more, and to connect with and learn from community members.

Key Steps for Muskoka

1. Needs and Gap Analysis through Staff and Community Engagement

  • Based on the experiences of other municipalities it is important to look both inward and outward when embarking on IDEA work. The District started by engaging with racialized, immigrant and minority District staff to better understand their experiences and to ensure the District truly is a workplace free from discrimination, and an employer that embraces and celebrates diversity.
  • Anecdotally, the District has learned that being a visible minority in Muskoka has its challenges. To better understand the scope and nature of these challenges, the District developed and launched a broad community engagement strategy to ensure those who want to share experiences and be heard had the opportunity to connect through a variety of channels, including surveys, focus groups and one-on-one discussions.

2. Muskoka-wide IDEA Action Plan

  • Using the information collected from other municipal action plans, along with the information collected through the staff and community engagement activities, the District is developing a Community IDEA Action Plan, including scope, to be approved by District Council.

3. IDEA Advisory Group

  • To help finalize and guide the execution of a Muskoka-wide IDEA Action Plan, plan for future initiatives, supports and services, and act as an advisory body for District Council, the District is inviting community members and other stakeholders to sit on a community-focused, skills-based advisory group. If you are interested in learning more about the IDEA Advisory Group, please contact Tina Kilbourne as listed under 'Who's Listening"?
Page last updated: 10 Feb 2023, 07:27 AM