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EQUITY
AND ANTI-
RACISM
PLAN
2025
A ROADMAP TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE
AND EQUITABLE MUNICIPALITY
WWW.BARRINGTONMUNICIPALITY.COM
DATE: APRIL 3, 2025
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
TABLE OF
CONTENT
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Executive Summary
1
Plan Development
2
Action Plan
3-4
Conclusion & Next Steps
5
We recognize that meaningful
change takes time and collective
effort. We are committed to
working with our community and
partners to implement this plan
and ensure it remains a living
document that evolves with our
community's needs.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Our plan represents a step forward
in addressing systemic barriers
and ensuring that our municipality
is a place of opportunity for all.
Through ongoing training, capacity
building, and strategic actions, we
will continue to grow as an
organization.
1
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
This plan serves as a preliminary framework to guide our efforts in
identifying and addressing barriers within municipal policies, services, and
governance structures. It was developed to meet the requirements of the
Dismantling Racism and Hate Act Regulations and is intended as a first
step toward developing a more comprehensive and sustainable strategy.
PLAN
DEVELOPMENT
Purpose
2
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
We acknowledge that certain communities within our municipality,
particularly racialized groups, persons with disabilities, newcomers,
women and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, face barriers to full
participation in public life. This plan is part of our commitment to
identifying and addressing these barriers.
Acknowledging Underrepresented Groups
In developing this plan, we consulted with municipal staff and council, and
engaged with partners such as the NS Office of Equity & Anti-Racism, the
Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia, and neighboring
municipalities. We gathered public input through informal channels like
social media, and direct conversations, and will continue to seek feedback
for ongoing collaboration and refinement.
Engagement & Partnerships
ACTION PLAN
Key Objectives
3
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Build a Strong Foundation for equity, anti-racism, and
accessibility by identifying gaps and improving municipal
policies and practices.
Enhance Awareness and capacity through training and
education for staff, council, and community partners.
Increase Community engagement to ensure diverse voices are
heard and involved in municipal decision-making.
Establish sustainable structures for ongoing leadership in
accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Summary of Key Initiatives
Conduct a comprehensive self-assessment of existing policies
and practices.
Provide targeted DEI and accessibility training for staff and
council.
Review and update the municipal Accessibility Plan.
Hire an Accessibility and DEI consultant.
Collaborate with external partners to strengthen capacity and
expertise.
ACTION PLAN
Policy & Governance
4
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Align municipal policies and practices with current equity, anti-
racism, and accessibility standards to ensure fair, transparent, and
inclusive governance.
Actions
Recommendations
Priority
#
Conduct a comprehensive review of all municipal policies
and procedures to identify gaps, biases, and barriers that
may affect underserved communities. This includes
assessing HR policies, procurement practices, and
community engagement processes.
1
Update existing policies to align with new legislative
standards for accessibility and anti-racism, ensuring
the municipality supports Nova Scotia's Equity and Anti-
Racism legislation.
2
Develop a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
framework that outlines clear goals, timelines, and
accountability measures for improving inclusion in all
aspects of municipal operations and services.
3
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW
ACTION PLAN
Training & Capacity Building
5
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Build knowledge and capacity among municipal staff, council, and
the broader community to support inclusive, equitable service
delivery and decision-making.
Actions
Recommendations
Priority
#
Deliver mandatory anti-racism, unconscious bias, and
inclusive leadership training for all staff and council to
create a shared understanding of DEI principles.
1
HIGH
Organize ongoing workshops on emerging DEI topics,
such as intersectionality, accessibility best practices,
and inclusive community engagement strategies.
2
Develop community-facing educational sessions to
raise public awareness about DEI and accessibility
initiatives and encourage participation.
3
LOW
LOW
ACTION PLAN
Inclusive Service Delivery & Engagement
6
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Ensure municipal services and programs are accessible, inclusive,
and responsive to the diverse needs of all residents.
Actions
Recommendations
Priority
#
Engage underserved communities through targeted
outreach to understand barriers to municipal services,
gather input, and report back on findings.
1
HIGH
Establish a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
representing diverse populations to provide feedback
on DEI initiatives and ensure continuous improvement.
2
MEDIUM
Enhance communication strategies to reach a wider,
more diverse audience, ensuring that messaging is
inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant.
3
LOW
ACTION PLAN
Organizational Leadership and Coordination
7
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Establish sustainable leadership structures and internal
coordination to ensure long-term success of DEI and accessibility
efforts.
Actions
Recommendations
Priority
#
Hire a consultant to lead the development and
implementation of initiatives, ensuring accountability and
progress tracking.
1
HIGH
Form an internal working group made up of municipal
staff to develop a more comprehensive plan, oversee its
implementation, monitor progress, and produce regular
status reports for council and the public.
2
Integrate DEI and accessibility principles into annual
strategic planning and budgeting processes.
3
LOW
MEDIUM
The Municipality is committed to continuous improvement and
ongoing engagement with the community to ensure that our Equity
and Anti-Racism Plan remains relevant and impactful.
We will revisit this plan regularly, adapting as needed to reflect new
insights and changing community needs. By working together, we
can create a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible municipality
where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
CONCLUSION
& NEXT STEPS
Conclusion
8
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
Progress will be monitored regularly, with key performance
indicators (KPIs) and measurable goals set for each action. Annual
reports will be provided to council and shared with the community,
ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
Next Steps
MUNICIPALITY OF BARRINGTON
2447 Highway 3, Barrington
+1 902 637 2015
www.barringtonmunicipality.com