27. Promoting Fair Treatment and Full Participation of All People – A Municipality Scan to Understand the Best Practices on Self-Identification Systems in the City of Ottawa

Institution: University of Ottawa

CSWB plan priority: Discrimination, marginalization and racism

Project Term: Winter 2024

Course Code: FEM 4320 [A]

Professor: Eucharia Uranta-Okonkwo

Group Members: Kennedy Craig, Isabella Fiore, Sarah Fournel, Ryan Lafleur, Xandria Reece, Gianna Sebakiga, Mériel Bruer Benamra, Ashalee Ellington, Taylor Longeway, Maia Marchand, Abigail Marszowski, Sarah Thibault, Janelle Walker, Donneton Brown, Henna Sahota, Maaiyaa Sundralingam, Madison Templeton, Anya Valentine-Pagé, Steph Vercholuk, Alyssa Cordeiro, Anika Farrell, Madelyn Mierau, Victoria Miron, Ky Andersen, Amber Brar, Asha Navaneethan, Hunter Smales, Daréka Tremblay, Hareg Worku

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Background: This project aims to address the City’s strategic objective 6 - Simplify access to social services to support those in need, …etc. This was done by researching on better self-identification system needed to help the City team provide better services for underrepresented and racialized residents.

Objective(s): To support the creation of a better self-identification system needed to provide better services for racialized residents who are currently underrepresented in the city.

Approach: We worked in five groups focusing on 3 specific areas – literature review, triangulation, analysis, and presentation of findings. A major challenge was the low response rate. However, Professor Kathryn Trevenen and Carlos Alvarez agreed to be interviewed and led us to more people to speak with.

Potential for Impact: The project aims to contribute to the city of Ottawa and its communities by creating adequate self-identification systems. These systems will be used to help underrepresented communities such as racialized communities gain access to services, where they may face barriers for different reasons.