A few weeks ago, I saw a headline in the Mississauga news “Diversity tries to catch a ride on MiWay”. The article summarized the activities of Mississauga Diversity and Inclusion Advisory committee (DIAC). The topic was removing “Merry Christmas” messages on buses. The committee acknowledged 84.7% of those living in Mississauga were affiliated with a religion (60% Christian, Muslims 12%, Hindus 7% and all others religions under 5%), the DIAC thought this was an issue worthy of a meeting.
Intrigued, I checked the minutes on Mississauga.ca. MiWay customer service received 5 compliments and 1 complaint in 2014, 2015 – one complaint and no compliments. MiWay services a population for 752, 000 per their website. Let us be generous an assume only 25% of the population use the bus. One complaint is not even 0.001% of their riders.
I admire the intent of the DIAC but they focus on a superficial aspect of diversity i.e. just inclusion. The focus should not just be on inclusion but acceptance. Diversity needs to be redefined as inclusion and acceptance.
Diversity should not be about accommodating different religions or having an ethnic restaurant on each corner. It is ensuring new immigrants are not at a disadvantage when coming to Canada. It is about dealing with “no Canadian experience” (perhaps the City can partner with business to give paid internships). Diversity is about reducing the high insurance rates new immigrants pay for the privilege to drive not about “Merry Christmas “on a bus.
If the DIAC wants to be effective it should start with redefining and reloading the word “Diversity” so it means something to those it is intended to include.
Trumpism in Canada…it is already here
