The City of Belleville is the first workplace to sign its newly created Workplace Inclusion Charter.
The Charter, which aims to create and promote safe, inclusive workplaces for marginalized and equity-deserving populations, and to strengthen Belleville’s economy, was approved by council last week.
Mayor Neil Ellis says it will enrich our culture and strengthen our economy and, to support the needs of our growing community, the city needs to attract, deploy, and retain talent from communities around the world.
Belleville’s Workplace Inclusion Charter envisions Belleville to be a place where residents feel respected, valued, and supported to succeed and stay.
Employers are asked to celebrate diversity, encourage intercultural understanding, uphold worker rights and support colleague development.
The Belleville Workplace Inclusion Charter calls on employers to be leaders and adopts several principles:
- Diversity contributes to the strength and prosperity of our businesses, organizations and our community,
- Equity is fundamental to successful inclusion,
- Everybody deserves a safe and respectful work environment,
- Employers play an important role in facilitating successful inclusion for Belleville residents, and
- Inclusive, diverse and equitable workplaces should benefit all.
“There are both social and business advantages to inclusion,” says Heather Candler, Director of Economic Development. “Signing the Charter and developing an Inclusion Plan is the first step to realizing business advantages which include tapping into new markets, attracting high-level talent, retaining expertise, invigorating productivity and innovation, building the reputation of your company, and building the type of city you and your employees want to live in.”
Councillor Sean Kelly, chair of both the city’s Economic Development Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee issued the challenge to Belleville’s businesses and organizations to now sign the charter alongside the city.
“We’ve provided a link to tools like the federal government’s 50-30 Challenge to help businesses find the next steps for them, big or small,” said Councillor Sean Kelly.
The 50 – 30 Challenge asks that organizations aspire to two goals:
- Gender parity (50% women and/or non-binary people) on Canadian boards and/or in senior management; and
- Significant representation (30%) on Canadian boards and/or senior management of members of other equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Racialized, Black, and/or People of colour (“Visible Minorities”), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.
For more information on Belleville’s Workplace Inclusion Charter, or to sign the Charter and get started, visit: Belleville.ca/Inclusion
