By Cecilia Nasmith
Following a Black Lives Matter demonstration and the installation of the Pride Crosswalk in Cobourg last week, Councillors Adam Bureau and Emily Chorley put a notice of motion before council for an Equity and Inclusion Policy.
The notice of motion calls for the drafting of such a policy in a way that will address the inclusion of “Indigenous peoples, women, radicalized/visible minority groups, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and LGBTQ communities.”
With Oct. 26 as the date for the draft policy, the notice of motion envisions “annual commitments to equity and inclusion training for Town of Cobourg staff and volunteers, engagement of citizens and advisory committees, and communications on progress.”
Councillor Nicole Beatty was happy to see the motion, following her attendance at last week's Black Lives Matter rally – as a councillor and as a citizen - “listening and learning and speaking with Black residents in our community.”
Councillor Emily Chorley said her family had attended and had been amazed to see a crowd later estimated at more than 700.
“It was an important statement about the need to be proactive in our rejection of racism and all forms of discrimination,” Chorley said.
