At its meeting on Tuesday, May 20, Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) Counties council reviewed an updated Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) framework, a key component of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, which is designed to reinforce a respectful and inclusive workplace for counties’ employees.
Staff explained that the EDI framework is essential to respecting the diversity of municipal employees through three foundational pillars; Communication and Branding, Training and Development, and Policy Development and Review.
Councillor Steve Densham agreed that the EDI framework is an important topic and that the counties must continue to respect all people as individuals, whether in the public or within the municipality itself.
“We need to ensure the framework is implemented thoughtfully and respectfully,” Densham said. “While I don’t personally see it as our responsibility to prescribe any social agenda, we absolutely need to foster a non-discriminatory environment,” Densham said.
With no additional questions or feedback, council supported the continued development of the framework by municipal staff, with implementation to follow as approved.
