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  • January DEIJ Employee Quiz

    Happy New Year!

    This month's DEIJ January Quiz is now available for you. We hope you learn something new and please feel free share this quiz with others.

    Participate in the quiz by visiting DEIJ Quiz or use the QR code in this post.

    Let us know how you did!

  • Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership seeking local immigrants to join advisory group

    The Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership (CK LIP) is excited to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Immigrant Advisory Group (IAG). The CK LIP Immigrant Advisory Group acts as a resource for CK LIP Council and partnered projects to enhance CK’s welcome-ability. The group is responsible for providing input to CK LIP Council on what immigrants are experiencing in the community while also sharing ideas on improving settlement outcomes.

    All members must be 18 years of age or older and be current residents of Chatham-Kent.

    Members of IAG serve a two-year term and will meet in person four times a year.

    Applications are being accepted for all those interested on Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent and will be open until February 1st, 2023.

    Contact CK LIP:

    Visit CK LIP Website: www.Chatham-Kent.ca/CKLIP

    Follow CK LIP on Facebook and Twitter

    Contact CK LIP at cklip@chatham-kent.ca

  • Transgender Day of Remembrance Event and Local Immigration Partnership Newsletter


    We are sharing a few local updates related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.


    Transgender Day of Remembrance Event

    4 candles are lit with flames and bavkground that have blue, pink, and white, colours in the trans flag.

    CK Pride is hosting an event on Sunday, November 20th, 5PM at the Chatham Civic Centre to honour the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

    Learn more about the event on the CK Pride Facebook page.

    Learn more about Transgender Day of Remembrance on the Queer Events website.


    CK Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Newsletter

    Chatham-Kent Local Immigration Partnership logo.

    This newsletter has a lot of information about local events and resources related to immigration in Chatham-Kent.

    Find the latest edition of the CK LIP newsletter.

    Subscribe to the CK LIP newsletter on the CK LIP website.


    Learn More

    Learn about and share information and resources related to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice by visiting the Engage section of the DEIJ Employee Portal.

  • Treaties Recognition Week November 6th-12th

    November 6th to November 12th is Treaties Recognition Week!

    We encourage everyone to take some time this week to learn about Treaties. Further understand their importance, what they mean, and more from the Treaties Recognition Week Poster attached on the DEIJ Portal and in this post below.

    A beige colored poster, with three columns resembling a brochure format. In the first column it reads "Treaties Recognition Week: November 6th-12th, 2022". In the second column it reads at the top, In 2016, Ontario became the first province in Canada to declare the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. We encourage you to review at least one resource below this week to learn about the importance of Treaties. In the paragraph below it reads, What are treaties? Treaties are nation-to-nation agreements. In the context of the lands now known as Canada, Treaties are between the Government of Canada (also known as the Crown) and Indigenous Peoples. In the last paragraph it reads, Why is treaties recognition week important? By learning more about our collective Treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Treaties Recognition Week also represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This week was launched in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. In the third and final coloumn, there are resources to learn more about treaties and agreements, McKee Purchase Treaty, The Grandfather of all Treaties, Treaties in Ontario, Indigenous Voices on Treaties, and Anishinabek Nation Resources. The final column reads, Treaties Beyond Text as the title. In the body, it writes, Why is treaties recognition week important? By learning more about our collective Treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Treaties Recognition Week also represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. This week was launched in 2016 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

    The resources listed in the infographic can be found below:

    Treaties and Agreements on The Government of Canada Website

    Mckee Purchase Treaty on The Canadian Encyclopedia

    The Grandfather of all Treaties on Briar Patch

    Treaties in Ontario from Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

    Indigenous Voices on Treaties from Ontario's Ministry of Indigenous Affairs

    Anishinabek Nation Resources from Anishinabek Nation

    Learn more about local Indigenous Cultures from the CK Road To Understanding


    Please reach out to Amrit Khaira or Rebecca Haskell-Thomas at DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or 226.312.2023 x 3610 if you have any questions or comments.

    Thank you,

    The DEIJ Team



  • Virtual Lunch & Learn: International Pronouns Day, October 19th 12-12:30


    The Municipality of Chatham-Kent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Team, in partnership with CK Pride, invite you to attend a Virtual Lunch and Learn for International Pronouns Day, October 19th, 12-12:30PM.

    In this virtual webinar, CK Pride Board member Nathan Dawthorne will provide context for common ideas about gender and share:

    • why pronouns matter
    • when it's appropriate to ask about pronouns
    • what to do if you use the wrong pronoun.

    To register: Email DEIJ@chatham-kent.ca or call Amrit 226.312.2023 x. 3610.


    Speaker Bio:

    Nathan Dawthorne is on the board of directors of the CK Gay Pride Association. He grew up in Lambton County & moved to Bothwell with his husband & Autistic son after a 20-year stint in London. Nathan has a Ph.D. in sociocultural anthropology, uncovering the life stories of male sex workers from Southern Ontario. He now works as a caregiver advisor & facilitator at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Toronto.


  • CK Launching 2023 Online Budget Survey

    Chatham-Kent officials have launched this year’s online survey designed to gather public input on where and how their property tax dollars are spent.

    At Let's Talk Chatham-Kent residents can have their say on the 2023 Chatham-Kent budget through a survey that allows them to express their thoughts on what services they deem important and whether spending should be increased or decreased.

    The survey is comprised of a number of wide-ranging questions. Throughout the survey, participants are asked to provide as much information as they like.

    This year’s budget process is entitled Budget 2023: Inspiring Chatham-Kent.

    The survey concludes with opportunity for residents to provide general comments. The survey results and public comments will be used by administration in the development of the budget and will be provided to Chatham-Kent Council prior to deliberations.

    Steve Brown, Chatham-Kent’s Director of Budget & Performance Services, said the online survey gives residents the opportunity to provide input at their convenience.

    Brown said completing the survey doesn’t preclude residents from voicing their opinions later as well. “The more information we have and the earlier we have it, the better we can understand the needs of the community,” he said.

    The online survey will be open until October 31st.

    Citizens are also encouraged to bring budget concerns to their Councillors at any time through email or by phone.

    On Wednesday January 11, 2022, Council will host its Budget Committee Opening Night Meeting beginning at 6 pm.

    Community Consultation Meetings will be held as follows:

    Wednesday, January 18 at noon.

    Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m.

    Details on how the public will access the meetings will be provided once the format is finalized.

    Budget Committee Deliberations will be held at 6 p.m. on January 25, 26 and 31 with contingency dates on February 1 and 2 if needed.

    For more information, contact:

    Steve Brown
    Director of Budget & Performance Services
    Municipality of Chatham-Kent
    519-360-1998 x 3100
    steven.brown@chatham-kent.ca


  • Local Boards and Committees of Council Call for Applications 2022 to 2026 Term

    The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently recruiting volunteer citizen appointments to various Local Boards and Committees of Council.

    The application can be completed online by visiting www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca. Paper copies can also be picked up and returned at any Municipal Centre.

    Applications must be completed by Friday, October 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

    The following Chatham-Kent Local Boards and Committees of Council are recruiting citizen members for the 2022 – 2026 term:

    • Accessibility Advisory Committee
    • Age Friendly Committee
    • Blenheim Landfill Liaison Committee
    • By-law Appeal & Property Standards Committee
    • Chatham-Kent Board of Health (indigenous representative only)
    • Chatham-Kent Municipal Museums Advisory Committee
    • Chatham-Kent Police Services Board
    • Chatham-Kent Public Library Board
    • Committee of Adjustment
    • Court of Revision for Local Improvements
    • Drainage Board
    • Infrastructure, Bridge, Culverts and Roads Innovation Committee
    • Municipal Heritage Committee
    • Ridge Landfill Liaison Committee

    As per the direction of Council, the CK Plan 2035 Committee and the Community Development Advisory Committee will not be recruiting members until after the new term of Council has set its strategic directions.

    Information about each of these committees can be found at www.chatham-kent.ca.

    For more information, contact:

    Meredith Cadotte, Council Coordinator
    Municipal Governance / Clerk’s Office
    Email: meredithc@chatham-kent.ca
    Phone: 360-1998 ext. 3805

  • No. 2 Construction Battalion

    A picture of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, correspondence between Arthur Alexander and the Ministry of Militia & Defence, and the names of Black WWI Veterans of Chatham-Kent is on display in the Civic Center lobby,



    Have you heard of the No. 2 Construction Battalion?


    Thanks to the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and Ontario Heritage Trust, you can see a photo of the group and the names of local Black WWI Veterans in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Civic Center Lobby.


    On July 9th, 2022, the Canadian Minister of National Defence will offer a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the Battalion for the racism and discrimination endured by members before, during, and after their service to Canada. To watch the event live, visit: www.no2-cef.ca


    The No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed in WWI and served from 1916-1920. It was the largest Black military unit in Canadian history. Although the headquarters for the Battalion were in Nova Scotia, there was a detachment that operated in Windsor and many local Black men were a part of the Battalion.


    As they tried tA picture of Arthur Alexander is hung above a letter he wrote to the Minister of Militia and Defence in 1914 asking why Black men were not able to enrol in the Canadian militia. A letter in response from the Ministry's office stated that the selection of Officers is entirely in the hands of Commanding Officers.Arthur Alexander (pictured) wrote a letter to the Minister of Militia & Defence in 1914 to ask why Black men were not able to enlist in the Canadian militia.o volunteer for the Canadian militia, many Black men were turned away due to prevailing anti-Black racism. Despite the racism they experienced, the men continued to advocate for their participation in War efforts.


    In 1916, the Department of Defence and Militia established a segregated, Black labour Battalion that supported construction and labour needs related to the War. In 1917, the Battalion sailed to England with 595 men, most of whom went on to build and maintain water systems, roads, and railroads and take part in logging for lumber used in trenches, observation posts, bridges, walkways, and even aircrafts.


    Despite the anti-Black racism they experienced, the men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion made significant contributions to the War effort. But, these efforts went unrecognized for a long time.


    In 1992, the Government of Canada recognized the formation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion as a national historic event and raised a granite monument commemorating the Battalion in Nova Scotia. Canada post issued a commemorative stamp depicting the Battalion in 2016. This weekend, the Ministry of Defence will issue a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the No. 2 Battalion for the racism and discrimination they endured.


    Stop in at the Civic Center and see the picture of the No. 2 Battalion and the names of Black WWI Veterans from Chatham-Kent!


    For more information and local Black History, visit the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, or Ontario Heritage Trust's Historic Site dedicated to Josiah Henson (new name coming soon!).

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  • Report to Council- Update #2



    A Report to Council, for the DEIJ Strategy went to council to provide updates! Click the link below to access the Report To Council-Update #2.

    Link: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Strategy Update #2 (escribemeetings.com)

  • CK Asian Cultural Association Newcomer Event 2022

    Check out this flyer below for the Newcomer's Event 2022.

    Click the following link to register for this event: CKACA NEWCOMERS EVENT 2022 -RSVP (google.com)

    Hope to see you there!

    CK Asian Cultural Association is the title of the image. There are images of various foods, live concerts, and various artists who will be performing. The date of the event is at the bottom of the page. Which is June 25th, 2022. The food will be provided 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The concert will take place 7:00pmto 10:00pm. The Venue is Pines School Auditorium, Address Ursuline College, 85 Grand Avenue East, Chatham). Registration is Free, and food will be available on venue and for purchase. With a pre-order option also available (Veg, Non-eg (Halal) Options.