A small town north of Toronto became a small city virtually overnight. And most of the influx was not from the rest of Canada, but from countries around the world. This rapid change created challenges both from long-time residents (some of whom resisted the change), and from newcomers (who often reported feeling unwelcome).
The response of the town’s leaders was smart – and nimble. They decided at the outset that their course would be guided by a single phrase, “We are a welcoming community.”
As the Mayor and his team developed their 2009 Strategic Plan, for instance, they ensured that all voices in the community were heard. And how – more than 2000 residents took part in the creation of the Town’s vision and strategy. Richmond Hill also worked closely with Maytree’s DiverseCity onBoard program to ensure that its citizen committees reflected the changing face of the community.
Why the Town of Richmond Hill was awarded a Diversity in Governance Award
The Town of Richmond Hill is one of the most diverse municipalities in Canada. Community engagement, including having representation from its diverse community on its citizen committees of Council, is a key priority. When developing its 2009 Strategic Plan, the Town of Richmond Hill went to extensive lengths to ensure that the community’s voice was heard loud and clear. Public meetings, focus groups, information sessions, ethnic forums, roundtables, social media, surveys, and informal conversations hosted by Mayor Barrow with diverse community leaders elicited the participation of more than 2,000 residents in shaping the city’s vision and strategy.
The result? An action plan to guide the “dynamic, well-educated, multi-cultural town that is on the cusp of further change” and the Town’s vision, Richmond Hill, where people come together to build our community.
Strategic outreach to diverse communities was a top priority to deliver on Council’s commitment to ensure that the eight citizen committees of Council reflect the Town’s diverse demographics. The Town partnered with Maytree’s DiverseCity onBoard early on in the appointment process to reach out to local residents who had already self-identified as eager and skilled board volunteers. In addition, an Open House for the Town’s residents, with booths promoting volunteer opportunities with the Public Library Board, Heritage Richmond Hill, the Committee of Adjustment and others, welcomed all local residents to take part in town decision-making.
The new appointments process opened doors to citizens who might otherwise have never become involved in municipal governance. Visible minorities now account for 22% of membership of the citizen committees.
Profiles of other 2010 winners: