About ICC
What we do and why
Inclusive Cities Canada conducts research and engages local leadership and community participation in order to shape public policy and institutional practices. The initiative will create a horizontal civic alliance on social inclusion across urban communities in Canada.
The goals of Inclusive Cities Canada are:
- To promote social inclusion as key to the development of a Canadian urban strategy
- To support civic capacity to build inclusive communities in which all people are able to participate as valued and contributing members
- To secure a stronger voice for civic communities in national social policy
- To ensure that community voices of diversity are recognized as core Canadian ones.
The first phase of the initiative involves research, analysis and reporting. Local Civic Panels and staff are preparing civic audit reports on social inclusion which will be released early in 2005. The research process included community focus groups and local soundings that examined people’s perceptions of the ’inclusivity‘ of their city and communities in terms of:
- Diversity
- How well do public institutions, such as local government, the police and justice system, and public education provide valued recognition and respond to diverse groups in the population?
- Human Development
- What opportunities exist for children and youth to develop their talents, skills and capacities to contribute to the community?
- Civic Engagement
- What are cities and communities doing to promote active participation in local government, community organizations and civic life?
- Living Conditions
- Are there significant differences in levels of income, decent jobs, safe neighbourhoods, and the availability of affordable housing among city residents?
- Community Services
- How well is the city served by important public services such as health care, crisis, and transportation services?
The second phase of the initiative begins in the spring of 2005. It will concentrate on strengthening and expanding the cross-Canada civic network and developing strategic initiatives identified as local priorities. A cross-Canada report will be released in May 2005 at a national symposium. The focus will be to promote policies and practices that strengthen social infrastructure and build inclusive communities and cities nation-wide.