Equity, diversity, and inclusivity are three main initiatives Kamloops City Hall is focused on working towards.

The council has been asked for funding to hire a temporary employee who can providing training to staff on inclusivity issues. The requested funding, as part of a supplementary budget discussion, is proposing $75,000 – $100,000 for the position.

City hall is encouraging employees to shift away from idioms like Mr. and Mrs., and instead focusing on job titles and inclusive terms.

City CAO David Trawin, says the change comes as a result of updates to the city procedure bylaw. He said “all language was taken out that’s not gender-neutral.”

Part of this change will include an in-house equity, diversity, and inclusion training program. A main topic the program will advise on is inclusive hiring practices. Trawin says “We’re putting together a whole program on this, basically directed by council to do so as part of their strategic plan.”

With over 900 people being employed with the city, Trawin says the city will need time meet their goals of equity, diversity, and inclusion, but that a serious effort is being made to get there.