ESTEVAN - Estevan city council heard questions about its recently-approved plan for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) from the Concerned Citizens Estevan SK group, and also provided an update on DEI efforts during its Sept. 23 meeting.
Myles Fichter and Milton Vicary from the group appeared before council to discuss the DEI efforts, with several members in attendance. Fichter cited several recent criticisms of DEI, and provided examples of corporations that have backed away from DEI.
At one point, Coun. Kirsten Walliser – who was chairing the meeting as deputy mayor because Mayor Roy Ludwig is on holidays – interrupted Fichter to remind him he was nearly finished his 10 minutes of allotted time, as the Concerned Citizens had earlier wanted an update on the downtown revitalization project. Fichter replied he was nearly finished.
Walliser then told him it would not leave much time for a response from council. Fichter said it was his understanding of the bylaw that he had 10 minutes to make his statements, and council would have time to respond.
Fichter said the Concerned Citizens wanted to know the cost of the implementation, the estimated payroll costs of managers to take the DEI training, the cost of the course and the cost of the program itself.
Walliser said it does not affect the city's hiring policy, as the city has not changed internal documents to prefer certain demographics over others.
"The first step the city took was to ask about inclusion, so when we do a project or we bring a policy forward, we ask that three questions be evaluated," said Walliser.
Those questions are who the policy includes, who it excludes and how to bridge that gap.
Walliser noted the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association has created a tool for DEI that is free to use, so there is no cost to purchase or use it. The only cost thus far has been $600 for city management team members to take the assessment tool.
Later in the meeting, council received an initial report on the DEI plan. Walliser believes it's good for current members to complete the document, even though council has held the last meeting of the current term, because it shows the work that has taken place and the efforts that remain.
She noted some participants thought the city had already achieved the goal of a culture of inclusion.
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Council granted the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation's request for a discounted rate of $3,750 for the use of Affinity Place during the Festival of Trees gala on Nov. 16. The foundation will also have access to the overhead scoreclock to show videos.
The city will also purchase a corporate table for the event.
Teagan Littlechief of the White Bear First Nations will provide entertainment for the event.
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Council approved a development permit for a daycare in the 1500-block of Wellock Road, adjacent to St. Joseph's Hospital, following up on their approval of a rezoning bylaw for the project at an earlier meeting.
The licensed day care would be on three parcels consolidated into one, and would accommodate up to 90 clients.
Neufeld suggested two access points off of Wellock Road, and he said there would 11 parking spots, which would exceed requirements.
Coun. Shelly Veroba said the sooner council moves forward on the project, the sooner the 90 spaces will be built, and she believes they are definitely needed.
Council also approved a licensed daycare at a residence's basement in the 1800-block of Wellock Road.
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The city's annual fall Operation Clean Sweep will take place from Oct. 18-20 with a free landfill weekend. City of Estevan residents can dispose of residential waste, yard waste, construction and demolition debris. Freon appliances and mattresses will not be accepted.
