information brochure - Alberta Human Rights Commission

Where can I learn more?
Visit www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca for more information.
Call (403) 297-8407 in Calgary for more information about the
Coalition and available funding support. Call toll-free from other
Alberta locations by first dialing 310-0000.
E-mail CMARD@gov.ab.ca
OR
Help combat racism
and discrimination
The Canadian Commission for
UNESCO, the Alberta Human Rights
and Citizenship Commission,
and other partners are calling on
Alberta municipalities to join a
Canadian Coalition of Municipalities
Against Racism and Discrimination
(CMARD) and be part of a larger
international coalition being
promoted by UNESCO.
Contact the Canadian Commission for UNESCO at 1-866-669-4346
www.unesco.ca and click on, Natural, Social and Human Sciences
E-mail info@unesco.ca
August 2007

Why do we need a Coalition of
Municipalities Against Racism
and Discrimination (CMARD)?
CMARD will help broaden our society’s ability to protect and promote
human rights through coordination and shared responsibility
among governments, public and private institutions, businesses,
community organizations, and individuals.
“It is the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s goal in joining the
coalition to put equality, diversity and inclusion on the agenda for
our region. Our commitment to this initiative includes our ability to
take the lead in the area of setting up a regional advisory committee
that fosters equality, diversity and inclusion.” (The Regional
Municipality of Wood Buffalo)
How will we benefit?
When a municipality joins CMARD, everyone in the community
benefits. By joining CMARD, municipalities will be able to:
• Develop a plan of action to advance work in combating racism
and discrimination in keeping with ten Common Commitments
and build a more inclusive community,
• Cooperate and share responsibility with other institutions,
communities and individuals to take action and develop better
tools to monitor progress, and
• Exchange information on best practices and expertise with other
municipalities in Canada and around the world.
“The CMARD initiative has provided a basis for partnerships with
other institutions and organizations concerned about racism and
discrimination and is allowing the City of Edmonton to learn from
other municipalities how to most effectively address these issues. It
is one of the City’s initiatives to help create the safe and welcoming
atmosphere necessary to continuing to attract a diversity of people,
who wish to live, learn, work and play in Edmonton.”
(City of Edmonton)
Who can get involved?
Combating racism and discrimination is everyone’s responsibility.
Municipalities, community groups, public and private institutions,
businesses, different orders of government, and interested
individuals can all help.
How can municipalities
participate?
• Contact the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission
or the Canadian Commission for UNESCO to learn more
about CMARD
• Send a letter from the mayor to the Canadian Commission
expressing the municipality’s interest in joining CMARD
• Evaluate activities already being undertaken by the
municipality that correspond with one or more of the CMARD
Common Commitments
• Identify new actions relating to one or more of the
Common Commitments that the municipality will undertake
in the coming years
Five municipalities in Alberta – Brooks, Calgary, Drayton Valley,
Edmonton and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (including
Fort McMurray) – are championing CMARD, along with the Alberta
Urban Municipalities Association.
How can individuals and
organizations contribute?
• Contact the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship
Commission or the Canadian Commission for UNESCO to
learn more about CMARD
• Broaden awareness by discussing CMARD with other
local stakeholders
• Contact your municipality to encourage their participation
“Signing on to the commitment sends the message to the community
that its local government is willing to take a leadership role in
creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all citizens
and employees. It provides leverage for moving forward on antidiscrimination/oppression
initiatives.” (City of Calgary)