Equity and Inclusion Capacity Building

Creating a city for everyone

Since 2004, CAWI has worked with the City of Ottawa to develop tools and implement processes that enhance the capacity of city staff,  management and Councillors to consider equity and inclusion in their employment practices, policy development and delivery of programs and services. 

CAWI provides training workshops and tools for city staff and community organizations and others who want to incorporate inclusive practices as part of their everyday working practices.

Contact us for assistance in tailoring our Equity and Inclusion Capacity Building Tools for your organization.

Equity and Inclusion Lens (EI Lens)

The EI Lens asks City staff and management to consider 11 communities who risk exclusion (Aboriginal peoples, francophones, GLBT, immigrants, people living in poverty, people with disabilities, rural residents, seniors, visible minorities, women and youth) in employment practices, as well as program and policy development.  More than 100 community leaders and City staff contributed to the development of the Equity and Inclusion Lens and the 11 Diversity Snapshots. Thanks to a partnership grant between Status of Women Canada and City of Ottawa.

The Equity and Inclusion Lens (EI Lens) is currently being implemented in the City of Ottawa. In 2010,  Hire Immigrants Ottawa presented the City of Ottawa with the Employer Excellence Award for applying the E I Lens to human resource practices. In November 2010, CAWI presented the E I Lens at the Third International Women’s Conference on Safety and Inclusive Cities, Delhi, India. In 2012, the Equity and Inclusion Lens is one of several initiatives that resulted in the City of Ottawa receiving a national award for being among Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.

Gender Equality Guide

The Gender Equality Guide was developed prior to the E I Lens with input from over 30 diverse community member organizations and City staff. funded by Status of Women Canada. The Gender Equality Guide provides information, checklists and local examples that help those planning programs, policies and consultations to consider gender differences between women and men; and differences among women. The Gender Equality Guide was piloted in 12 Strategic Projects at the City in 2007.

Upon evaluation of the pilot, City management and community leaders recognized such a tool could be useful for ensuring equity and inclusion for other populations who risk exclusion. Because, a guide for each population would be unmanageable; an integrated tool was needed. From this, the Equity and Inclusion Lens was created with the aim of addressing inequities facing women, along with other populations.

Planning an Effective Consultation Guide – Guidelines to aid in being inclusive of the full-diversity of women when holding a consultation.

This work in equity and inclusion has been possible thanks to funds from Status of Women Canada, including a partnership grant between Status of Women Canada and the City of Ottawa

City of Ottawa
Status of Women Canada