Whereas women represent over 50% of the population across the country and locally in Brampton yet, women hold 35.6% of management positions and 30.9% of senior level positions according to Statistics Canada;
Whereas gender equality is enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically Section 15 and Section 28, which is part of the Constitution of Canada, along with federal legislation of Canadian Labour Code Part II, Gender Budgeting Act, and the Employment Equity;
Whereas gender equality means that diverse groups of women, men and gender diverse people are able to participate fully in all spheres of Canadian life, contributing to an inclusive and democratic society;
Whereas Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an analytical process that provides a rigorous method for the assessment of systemic inequalities, as well as a means to assess how diverse groups of women, men, and gender diverse people may experience policies, programs and initiatives;
Whereas the Canadian Government has recently renewed its commitment in 2015, to GBA+, which first began in 1995, and is working to strengthen its implementation across all federal departments (https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/gender-based-analysis-plus/what-gender-based-analysis-plus.html);
Whereas in March 2017, the City of Edmonton Council passed a motion to implement mandatory GBA+ e-learning training for senior leaders in the Administration and for City Councillors by end of 2018, utilizing the federal government’s e-learning tool and the same Council directed that staff in role-specific positions, predominantly in the areas of research, policy and program development, human resource and communication, receive in-depth, City of Edmonton-customized GBA+ training (https://webdocs.edmonton.ca/siredocs/published_meetings/120/677815.pdf);
Whereas in July 2021, Halifax Council brought forward a motion to implement the Federal GBA+ program as part of the Councillor training and orientation for all current and future members of the Halifax Regional Council (https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/210720rc1132.pdf);
Whereas the City of Edmonton established a “Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE) which provides Council with advice on affairs relevant to municipal jurisdiction (https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/city_organization/womens-advocacy-voice-of-edmonton-committee#:~:text=The%20Women's%20Advocacy%20Voice%20of,City%20policies%2C%20priorities%20and%20decisions);
Whereas in November 2019, Halifax Council approved the creation of the Women's Advisory Committee, to support the creation of a gender inclusive municipality and provide advice to Council on matters relevant to the municipal mandate (https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/s-z/womens-advisory-committee);
Whereas on December 14, 2022 this term of Council passed a motion to support and empower women at the City of Brampton, with celebrations planned annually on International Women’s Day on March 8th;
Whereas in keeping with the City’s recognition of International Women’s Day, Gender Equality week in September, Women’s History Month in October, the over arching themes were gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow and today #EmbraceEquity;
Whereas the City of Brampton has a policy in place since 2019 on Gender Identity and Expression Protocol and is committed to go beyond commemoration of these days of significance and be intentional in its efforts to provide support and empowerment opportunities for women and gender parity within the City and Council.
Therefore Be It Resolved That The City of Brampton:
1. Implement mandatory Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) e-learning training for senior leaders in the administration and for City Council by March 8, 2024 and that this training utilize the federal government’s e-learning tool;
2. Develop Terms of Reference for a Women’s Advisory Committee with an inaugural committee established no later than March 8, 2024;
3. Officially establish and support a Women’s Employee Resources Group through the Equity Office with support from Human Resources.
A recorded vote was requested and carried as follows: