MODG plans to ‘move quickly’ in advancing equity

GUYSBOROUGH — Under a new partnership with the Association of Municipal Administrators, the Nova Scotia government is targeting municipalities and villages as the first public bodies in the province required by law to tackle systematic hate, inequality and racism.

But that doesn’t worry Barry Carroll, chief administrative officer of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG), who said his staff is ready for this and more.

“Council has given us clear directions to set up an equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility committee,” he told The Journal in an interview last week. “The plan for MODG is that we will have an accessibility policy, as well as an equity and anti-racism policy.”

According to a provincial government news release last week, following the recent approval of regulations under the Dismantling Racism and Hate Act, the province is partnering with the Association of Municipal Administrators of Nova Scotia to help municipalities and villages develop equity and anti-racism plans.

“We know that there are problems we need to address within existing government policies and programs that appear neutral, but have the effect of disadvantaging underrepresented and underserved groups,” Justice Minister Barbara Adams, Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism stated in the announcement. “The province cannot do this work alone. We need to work with municipalities and villages to ensure this work reaches all areas of the province.”

MODG’s new committee, which advertised for members in May, stipulates that it will “provide council with advice, education and recommendations for municipal programing and services to lead to and support a diverse and inclusive community. The committee is also intended to achieve an environment of respect, understanding and equality within our community. We are seeking passionate individuals who are dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives to join this important committee.”

At the time, MODG District 2 Councillor Mary Desmond, who helped spearhead the initiative, told The Journal at the time: “The municipality is growing. There is a lot of economic development happening on the horizon. People are going to start coming in. And, in our own population, we have the African Nova Scotia [community] and Acadians. We’re trying to get a variety [of people from these], the newcomers’ community, the First Nations’ community [and] the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We want different perspectives. When you get different voices from marginalized communities, you are going to see what a real community is all about.”

The provincial announcement promised funding of $1.18 million to the Association of Municipal Administrators “to provide dedicated resources and supports over the next four years to assist municipalities and villages in developing and implementing their equity and anti-racism plans” and update their accessibility plans appropriately by April 1, 2025.

Said Carroll, last week: “We’ve been pretty proactive and we are acutely aware. We are a local government, and the expectation is that we will move quickly to do what needs to be done.”

Alec Bruce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal