1. That, the correspondence received from Ron Tripp, Acting Chief Administrative Officer for the Regional Municipality of Niagara, dated February 28, 2020, requesting the Township of West Lincoln to support the joining of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities and signing of the declaration below and participate in a media release and possible media event (as coordinated by Niagara Region with the municipalities); be received and,
2.That, the following Declaration to Join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities be adopted and forward to Niagara Region:
GIVEN THAT:
1. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is calling on municipalities to join a Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities and to be part of UNESCO's international Coalition launched in 2004; and
2. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) endorses the Call for a Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities and encourages its members to join; and
WHEREAS:
3. Municipal governments in Canada, along with other levels of government, have responsibilities under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as federal, provincial and territorial human rights codes, and therefore have an important role to play in combating racism and discrimination and fostering equality and respect for all citizens;
Be it resolved that:
4. The Regional Municipality of Niagara, The Corporation of the Town of Fort Erie, The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, The Corporation of the Town of Lincoln, The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls, The Corporation of The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, The Corporation of the Town of Pelham, The Corporation of the City of Port Colborne, The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines, The Corporation of the City of Thorold, The Corporation of The Township of Wainfleet, The Corporation of the City of Welland, and The Corporation of the Township of West Lincoln agree to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities and, in joining the Coalition, endorses the Common Commitments (see Appendix A) and agree to develop or adapt a joint Plan of Action led by the Regional Municipality of Niagara accordingly .
5. These Common Commitments and the Municipalities' joint Plan of Action will be an integral part of the Municipalities' vision, strategies and policies.
6. In developing or adapting and implementing the joint Plan of Action toward progressive realization of the Common Commitments, the Municipalities will cooperate with other organizations and jurisdictions, including other levels of government, Indigenous peoples, public and private sector institutions, and civil society organizations, all of whom have responsibilities in the area of human rights.
7. The Municipalities will set their priorities, actions and timelines and allocate resources according to their unique circumstances, and within their means and jurisdiction. The Municipalities will exchange their expertise and share best practices with other municipalities involved in the Coalition and will report publicly on an annual basis on actions undertaken toward the realization of these Common Commitments.