The City of Windsor is partnering with the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County to deliver an anti-racism initiative.
The $200,000 initiative will be used for an anti-racism awareness campaign, training initiatives, internship and mentorship programs, development grants, and scholarships.
"We're putting forward for your consideration a starting point and this starting point is a good starting point, it will make a difference in the lives of many individuals in the community," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The initiative received criticism from some councillors and the Black Council of Windsor for lack of consultation with the community.
Many believe the initiative concentrates on multiculturalism and diversity instead of anti-racism as the funding was intended for when it was designated in 2021 budget deliberations.
"Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asians, and others have all been in Canada for generations, are already Canadian by culture, are faced with institutionalized racism daily and have needs left unmet by multiculturalism," said Leslie McCurdy with the Black Council of Windsor-Essex. "Anti-racism, anti-Black racism work educates on and dismantles the race-based systemic inequities that impact members of various communities once they are under Canada's ongoing colonialist system."
Councillor Rino Bortolin voted against the initiative, stating it doesn't address the issue, anti-racism, as intended.
"We aren't actually doing serious work here, we aren't acknowledging the issues," said Bortolin. "This is a PR campaign. This is $200,000 of PR. This isn't about actually addressing the issue."
The Multicultural Council of Windsor committed to further consultation with community groups while implementing the initiatives presented to the city council.
