Applications for ANTI-RACISM CAPACITY BUILDING FUND now open!

The City of Calgary has launched a new funding opportunity to support collaborative, community-based initiatives that build the capacity of organizations to facilitate policy and systems change that undo systemic racism. In collaboration with the Calgary Foundation and the United Way of Calgary and area, up to $600,000 in funding is available for this call.

The deadline to apply is September 18, 2020.

There is a clear and evident need for increased efforts across society, and within our communities, to identify and address systemic racism. The City of Calgary acknowledges the existence of systemic racism and is taking concrete actions to identify and address factors that contribute to racism within the organization, and across the community. This funding is one way The City is working with community partners to identify and dismantle systemic racism in our community.

Does your organization work to combat systemic racism? Visit our webpage to find out if your initiative is eligible for this funding.

Updates: Calgary's Commitment to Anti-Racism

There is a clear and evident need for increased efforts across society, and within our communities, to identify and address inequalities and racism. The City of Calgary acknowledges the existence of systemic racism. It is committed to listening to, and learning from, those who have been impacted by it, and taking concrete actions to identify and address factors that might contribute to racism within the organization, and across the community.

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Work Thus Far, and What Comes Next:

June 15, 2020 – A Notice of Motion was passed by Council entitled Calgary’s commitment to anti-racism directing work to begin in a number of areas.

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July 7 – 9, 2020:  Panel presentation and public consultation on systemic racism.

The Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services modified their regular proceedings to have this important conversation about racism. An expert in anti-racism, Dr. Melinda Smith, acted in a special role as a co-chair to inform the proceedings. In addition, seats normally held for Councillors were provided to a panel of experts who provided insights into the multiple facets and impacts of racism.

The session was followed by public submissions that allowed Council to hear from members of the public about their experiences and perspectives on how The City can move forward. Insights and lessons learned from these days will inform the work of an Anti-Racism Action Committee to be established in October 2020 and the development of an anti-racism strategy for Calgary.  

Elders Kelly and Daphne Good Eagle brought blessings in the form of prayer and song at the start of the proceedings, and in consultation with them, have agreed to join Council on July 20th to formally close the hearing after decisions in support of this commitment are approved.

The panel of experts was made up of people recommended by community members and leaders with anti-racism expertise and The City’s Indigenous Relations Office. Panel members were:

• Vicki Bouvier

• Francis Boakye

• Nyall Dabreo

• Teresa Woo-Paw

• Phil Fontaine

o   Video

o   Written submissions:

Item 7.1 Photo CPS2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 Presentation CSP2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 Letters 1-10 CSP2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 Letter from L. Migrino CSP2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 Slides from V. Rangaranj CSP2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 11-21 CSP2020-0776.pdf

§  Item 7.1 Slide Presentation Help Line Number.pptx

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MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020

Elders Kelly and Daphne Good Eagle brought blessings in the form of prayer and song at the start of the proceedings, and in consultation with them, agreed to join Council at the July 20th Combined Meeting of Council to formally close the consultation after decisions in support of this commitment were approved.

During this meeting, Agenda Item 7.13 - Calgary’s Commitment to Anti-Racism, CPS2020-0076, the following recommendations were approved:

1. Acknowledge, recognize and condemn the systemic racism that exists in our community, our government, our organization and our institutions, including the City of Calgary and the Calgary Police Service, as acknowledged by the joint statement by the Calgary Police Service, the Calgary Police Association, the Calgary Police Commission and the Senior Officers Association

2. Reaffirm our commitment to the actions directed in the Notice of Motion passed by Council 15 June 2020 and direct that a briefing on their progress be provided to Council no later than 30 September 2020, including the discussion between Council, the Calgary Police Commission, and the Calgary Police Service.

   • This statement places a concrete timeline for the Calgary Police Commission, Calgary Police Service, and Calgary City Council to present a progress report to the public by September 30, 2020. We will keep the community updated on the contents and date of this presentation as details are confirmed.

3. Approve the Anti-Racism Action Committee Terms of Reference as amended (Attachment 2);

   • This Terms of Reference requires the approval of Council in order to form and begin recruitment for the Anti-Racism Action Committee. Upon approval, the application process will open soon, and all members of the public are invited to apply. The applicant criteria is listed within. The final membership will be formally ratified and approved by Council in October 2020 during the Annual “Org Day”. After that, the Committee may begin its work and will provide regular updates to Council through the Community and Protective Services Committee.

4. Direct that a “What We Heard” report from the public consultation (2020 July 07) be provided to support the development of the Anti-Racism Strategy and to achieve any or all of the objectives set out in the 15 June 2020 Notice of Motion. This public document will also be made available to any other organization within the community, public or private, who wishes to use it to inform their own anti-racism work.

5. Direct the Anti-Racism Action Committee to provide a progress update to the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services no later than Q2 2021; and

   • This statement allows the Anti-Racism Action Committee to provide progress as often as needed, but no later than Q2 2021.

6. Approve the Anti-Racism Capacity Building Fund Terms of Reference (Attachment 3).

   • This Terms of Reference required the approval of Council in order to open applications and release funding in relation to its mandate: “… collaborative, community-based capacity-building initiatives that work to undo systemic racism and support long-term policy and systems reform in Calgary”

   • Once approved, the application will be made available online alongside a template and criteria checklist that can assist eligible organizations in developing a successful application. Timelines for this process are listed further below.

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July 23, 2020 - The recommendations listed above were approved by Council meeting on July 20th, and the Anti-racism capacity-Building fund will soon open the call for proposals. City Council has approved up to $250,000 for funding to support collaborative, community-based initiatives that build the capacity of organizations to help combat systemic racism and these funds will be matched by community partners involved in the evaluation and support for applicants.

August 2020 – Recruitment for Anti-Racism Action Committee. Link to applications and criteria will be available soon after Council approves the Terms of Reference in the upcoming meeting on July 20th.

October 2020 – Establishment Anti-Racism Action Committee.
This group will continue the community conversation started in July 2020 and engage the community to begin development of a new community-based anti-racism strategy.

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The July 7 – 9 Panel Presentations and Public Hearing on Systemic Racism

The Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protectives Services modified their regular proceedings to have this important conversation about racism. An expert in anti-racism, Dr. Melinda Smith, acted in a special role as a co-chair to inform the proceedings. In addition, seats normally held for Councillors were provided to a panel of experts who provided insights into the multiple facets and impacts of racism.

The session was followed by public submissions that allowed Council to hear from members of the public about their experiences and perspectives on how The City can move forward. Insights and lessons learned from these days will inform the work of an Anti-Racism Action Committee to be established in October 2020 and the development of an anti-racism strategy for Calgary.  

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If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at ward09@calgary.ca