District of West Van staff to receive anti-racism training

District of West Vancouver staff will receive anti-racism training.

In an update, West Van Mayor Mary-Ann Booth said she has publicly committed to ensure that West Vancouver employees will receive anti-racism training.

“The recent anti-racism protests have resulted in sweeping attitudinal changes and will have a lasting effect. West Vancouver employees want to be a part of this change, and ensure that they serve our community well,” Booth said.

Anti-racism training is a process of recognizing individual, institutional and systemic racism and addressing it, she added.

“It is important to me that we implement this process at the staff level so that employees can provide services to the public in an equitable manner, without regard to race, colour, ancestry, religion or any other distinguishing ground,” Booth said.

Booth also said that building a strong and respectful relationship with First Nations is a long-standing and vitally important priority for the district. She said staff and council have attended cultural awareness training in the light of the Truth and Reconciliation movement.

She said she was also very aware of the heightened scrutiny of police operations across North America at this time.

“The West Vancouver Police Department’s values of accountability, collaboration, integrity and professionalism are evident in everything they do, and I know our police officers are very much valued by the community they serve, and for the motto they embody–“no call too small”,” she said.

“Now more than ever, our police officers and all our first responders need our support and encouragement as they strive to make West Vancouver safer for all.”