Edmonton to establish new independent body under anti-racism strategy

Three years after approving an anti-racism strategy, Edmonton city council has decided on the parameters for an independent body to oversee efforts within the community.  

The long-promised body — the last of three strategy priorities to be completed — will be a collaborative group of existing experts, rather than a newly created non-profit organization or advisory board.

Council's decision means existing anti-racism organizations or institutions that are independent from government structures will oversee anti-racism efforts and reflect on system racism at all levels in Edmonton.

"The reason I'm proposing this motion — a collaborative table — is that it allows the existing organizations to work together, share best practices and be supported by the city," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said during a council meeting on Tuesday.

Edmonton's anti-racism strategy, which council approved in 2022, contained three key priorities: providing sustained funding, creating a high level office to tackle racism within the City of Edmonton corporation, and creating the independent anti-racism body. 

A study of anti-racism efforts in other jurisdictions over the last three years didn't find anything similar to independent body being created in Edmonton, said Andre Tinio, former chair of the advisory panel that did the review.

City council discussed three options for developing an independent body: the collaborative approach, a non-profit, and a council advisory committee or board.

"I do have concerns about a non-profit organization or even going back to an advisory committee structure, we've done that before," said Keren Tang, councillor for Ward Karhiio. 

Anti-racism strategy

Sohi, who had campaigned on ending hate-based violence in 2021, introduced the motion asking city staff to implement a collaborative model for the new body. The motion passed unanimously.

More than two years ago, some watchers criticized the effectiveness of the anti-racism strategy and questioned why an independent body had not yet been established.

"I know that it took longer than expected," Sohi said Tuesday.

"In hindsight, maybe taking time was important."

Between 2022 and 20223, the city spent more than $3.6 million for projects. Grants will go toward initiatives like an internship for diverse youths to help them gain leadership experience and share their experiences. 

Funding has also been approved for a high-level reconciliation and anti-racism office, with seven employees, that will be within the city manager's office.

Sohi said the city's work was helped by being part of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. Edmonton was one of three Canadian cities to take part in the North American program, which helps mayors and city officials tackle complex challenges. 

Edmonton was also chosen for the collaboration track sector within the program, in order to find ways to address these issues through teamwork.

"I believe it sets our city on a path to be an equitable and sustainable progress on anti-racism for years to come," Sohi said.