Inclusive Community Plan

In May 2022, Brantford City Council approved a staff recommendation, endorsed by the Brantford Immigration Partnership (BIP) to join the UNESCO Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities (CIM).

As a member of the CIM, the City of Brantford has endorsed UNESCO’s commitments to promote inclusion, and made a commitment to work with community partners to develop an Inclusive Community Plan to celebrate, promote and support cultural values and diversity. 

The Inclusive Community Plan was developed in partnership with the Wilfrid Laurier University School of Social Work, and represents the input and feedback from a wide range of community stakeholders and subject matter experts.

It is acknowledged by all stakeholders that developing an Inclusive Community Plan is not a one-time process, but rather a commitment to listening, learning and cooperation over the long term. 

The Inclusive Community Plan includes three Guiding Principles:

  1.  Learn from Each Other
  2.  Stand Up for Each Other
  3.  Celebrate Each Other    

Inclusive Community Plan Focus Guiding Principles

Learn from Each Other
  1.  Keep listening
  2.  Highlight culturally based programs and projects
  3.  Develop localized understandings of history, identity and culture
  4.  Expand Indigenous-led and developed education opportunities
  5.  Develop resources for New Canadians to learn about local Indigenous history
Stand Up for Each Other
  1.  Establish campaigns to respond to stereotypes and hateful messages
  2.  Develop Allyship, ambassador and mentoring programs
  3.  Support representation of all groups in community leadership positions
  4.  Create new volunteer opportunities that allow for residents to lead community initiatives
Celebrate Each Other
  1.  Promote campaigns, art projects, and events that celebrate diverse cultures
  2.  Support local media in capturing an expansive variety of voices, cultures, and perspectives
  3.  Create more opportunities for exchange of culture and ideas
  4.  Acknowledge and learn about uniqueness within culture and identity
Inclusive Community Plan Co-Signers and Endorsers
  • Best Start Network
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Brant Brantford Youth Council
  • Brant County Health Unit
  • Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
  • Brant Skills Centre
  • Brantford Native Housing
  • Brantford Police Services
  • Brantford Public Library
  • Brantford Regional Indigenous Support Centre (BRISC)
  • Brantford Sikh Association
  • Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant
  • Children and Family Services Grand Erie (CFSGE)
  • Canadian Mental Health Association Brant Haldimand Norfolk
  • Community Legal Clinic Brant Haldimand Norfolk
  • Community Living Brant
  • Conestoga College
  • Contact Brant
  • Fedcap Canada
  • Grand Erie District School Board
  • Grand River Community Health Centre
  • Grand River Council on Aging
  • MonAvenir Catholic School Board
  • Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services
  • SOAR Community Services
  • Sydenham Heritage United Church
  • Victim’s Services of Brant
  • Wesley Brantford
  • Why Not City Missions
  • Willowbridge Community Services
  • Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford
  • Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services
  • Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie
  • YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford