March 18, 2021
Statement from Chair Karen Redman regarding Anti-Asian violence in Georgia
We are deeply saddened by the recent shootings in Georgia and continue to be troubled by the rise in anti-Asian violence that we have seen during the pandemic. The pandemic has highlighted and magnified inequities that have always existed. The roots of this violence are deep and familiar: white supremacy, xenophobia, and imperialism.
Anti-Asian racism has a long history and is both interpersonal and systemic. The increased racist language from the onset of the pandemic, with the virus being labelled “China virus” or “Wuhan flu,” has been incredibly damaging.
According to a Stats Canada report, Canadians with Asian backgrounds are more likely to report noticing increased racial or ethnic harassment against them since the start of the pandemic. More than 30% of respondents who identified as Chinese perceived an increase in harassment or attacks on the basis of race, ethnicity, or skin colour.
We have seen this here in Waterloo Region as well, with some individuals being the subject of racist comments on social media and emails containing inappropriate and abusive comments.
We understand that bias can be unconscious or unintentional and that racism is the combination of social and institutional power, plus racial prejudice. Having conversations that confront this bias requires courage, respect and compassion, and may not always be comfortable.
The Region of Waterloo is purposefully striving to identify, discuss and challenge issues of race, color, ethnicity, and the impact(s) they have on everyone.
The most important thing is to continue this advocacy beyond the pandemic, by continuing to support racialized communities, and by making them visible outside of conversations around COVID-19.
February 02, 2021
Statement from CAO Bruce Lauckner and Chair Karen Redman
Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month, where all Canadians can learn about the achievements and many contributions of Black Canadians in shaping Canada’s growth and development, both past and present.
Recognition of Black History Month is even more significant given events of the past year, including the death of George Floyd and the demonstrations on Capitol Hill, which remind us that we cannot take for granted, but must work to ensure democracy, equality and fair treatment for all.
These incidents speak to the importance of addressing racial discrimination for black, indigenous, and racialized community members and social injustice for all. Addressing systemic racism will foster relationships built on trust and restore faith in government services and systems; while bringing about healing and reconciliation.
The Region of Waterloo has taken the following actions to address racial intolerance:
- Created an Equity, Inclusion & Human Rights Unit aimed at a just, equitable and accessible Region where all people can reach their full potential.
- Created an Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group that will provide recommendations, advice and information to Regional Council. This includes the development and implementation of an Anti-Racism Plan to address systemic racism within the workplace and within Regional services.
- Created an Equity Diversity & Inclusion Staff Working Group who will identify key corporate initiatives to support equity and inclusion for all and support the Region’s Multi-Year Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion Plan.
- Continued to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #57: Educating Regional staff about “the history of First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Indigenous rights, Indigenous Law and the Indigenous-Crown relations.”
- Continued to support our internal First Nations, Metis and Inuit committee.
In addition, the Region has developed a dedicated webpage for Black History Month that encourages the community to learn about and honour the important contributions African, Black and Caribbean Canadians have made to our country. The Region is also promoting community and Region-led events on a variety of social media platforms and encouraging all to participate and share.
Karen Redman, Bruce Lauckner
Chair, Region of Waterloo CAO, Region of Waterloo
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Jan. 11, 2021
Statement from the CAO and Chair
As a community, we have been impacted by the disturbing and tragic events of January 6th in Washington D.C.
On June 16th, Regional Council unanimously confirmed their commitment to address racism by supporting policies and programs that address the inequities that members of the Black community continue to experience within Waterloo Region.
The events that took place in Washington, D.C. on January 6th were deeply disturbing and may continue to be emotionally distressing. Events like this question beliefs of democracy, equality and fair treatment of all residents in our community. It highlights the existing injustices faced by racialized and marginalized communities, the ongoing power imbalances, and the necessary work that myself and Region of Waterloo Council has already committed to action.
We will continue to work alongside the community to address systemic racism, ensure human rights, and equity for all our residents, including regional staff.
Karen Redman Bruce Lauckner
Regional Chair CAO, Region of Waterloo
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Oct. 8, 2020
Orange Shirt Day 2020
Today is Orange Shirt Day across Canada – a day for awareness and support for the survivors and families of Canada’s Residential School System. We acknowledge the harmful past and present consequences of our residential schools.
Orange Shirt Day is inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a First Nation Elder in Williams Lake, B.C. It was this time of year – the end of September – when Indigenous children were removed from their homes to attend residential schools.
At the young age of 6, the brand-new orange shirt that Phyllis wore was replaced with a uniform on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, B.C. in 1973. The orange shirt that we wear today symbolizes all that Phyllis was stripped of and the emotional trauma that followed her in the Residential School System.
For Phyliss, the colour orange always reminded her of her experience at residential school and she said: “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying and no one cared.”
The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996, less than 15 years ago.
· It is estimated that 6,000 children died due to Canada’s residential school system
· 150,000 children attended these schools over 160 years
· More than 80,000 survivors and their families still live with its legacy
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s work, concluding with the 94 Calls to Action in 2015, was when this horrifying part of Canada’s past came to the forefront of the minds of Canadians and was acknowledged as a cultural genocide.
Although there were no residential schools in Waterloo Region, we recognize there are residential school survivors and family members in our community who carry the intergenerational trauma of the past. May we remember them every day so we can move forward toward reconciliation.
The way we see our country and plan for our community as municipal leaders should be informed by our past. Today, we honour the survivors and families of our Residential School System. May we remember them each and every day as we walk together toward reconciliation.
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