Swimming against the current again...the City of Oshawa published this 14 page 'Inclusive Language Manual - Highlights' (copied below) . It looks pretty and seems quite friendly, but really??? I'm sorry, I question it.
Of course, some of it is fine. Yes, words matter. But imo there is an artificiality at play here. My concern is with the shaping of thought that is not any government's or organization's mandate.
About the cost, well on that topic...at Finance Committee today, I voted against extending the contract of the City's Diversity & Inclusion Officer, who was the author of this 'Manual'. In a staff Report on the Agenda, the Finance Committee was being asked to extend the D&I Officer's one year contract to 4 more years.
This contract extension commits half a million dollars of budget monies to continue the employment of one city staff person for that period. Yet the 2020 budget has not even been drafted, let alone deliberated, and we have not been informed of staffing priorities. It is a pretty sure bet the City will be needing to hire one or more engineers, planners and perhaps others such as firefighters etc. in the 2020 budget.
When spending other people's money, I am very aware we need to be accountable. I asked at the Committee, is spending on this particular position a pressing priority?
The Committee voted in favour of this spending and I alone voted no.
Of course, some of it is fine. Yes, words matter. But imo there is an artificiality at play here. My concern is with the shaping of thought that is not any government's or organization's mandate.
About the cost, well on that topic...at Finance Committee today, I voted against extending the contract of the City's Diversity & Inclusion Officer, who was the author of this 'Manual'. In a staff Report on the Agenda, the Finance Committee was being asked to extend the D&I Officer's one year contract to 4 more years.
This contract extension commits half a million dollars of budget monies to continue the employment of one city staff person for that period. Yet the 2020 budget has not even been drafted, let alone deliberated, and we have not been informed of staffing priorities. It is a pretty sure bet the City will be needing to hire one or more engineers, planners and perhaps others such as firefighters etc. in the 2020 budget.
When spending other people's money, I am very aware we need to be accountable. I asked at the Committee, is spending on this particular position a pressing priority?
The Committee voted in favour of this spending and I alone voted no.